Developing a New Approach to Research at Soba, the Capital of the Medieval Kingdom of Alwa

Abstract

Soba was the capital of one of the medieval kingdoms of Sahelian Africa. The remains are located on the right bank of the Blue Nile, approximately 15 km from Khartoum’s downtown. It was the power centre for Nubian rulers of the Kingdom of Alwa, directly comparable to the main cities of the two other Nubian kingdoms, Nobadia and Makuria. Archaeological research has demonstrated that the metropolitan cities of Nobadia and Makuria had exceptional churches, monasteries, pottery production sites, areas with various buildings and fine houses as well as fortifications. In the case of Soba, the identification of an ecclesiastical complex of considerable size, unique finds and brief descriptions by medieval Arab historians suggest that it was also a highly diverse and complex settlement. In the last 20–30 years, large parts of Soba have rapidly been overbuilt. A tarmac road was laid across the northern part of the site and subsequent urbanisation covered approximately half of the 275 ha area of the capital city. Medieval architectural remains are not visible on the surface, but previous surveys identified at least seventeen mounds covered with red brick debris, and numerous mounds covered with gravel. Up to the present day, approximately 1% of medieval Soba has been researched in detail. As a result, not much is known about the spatial organisation of the city. In the search for a new approach which will enable sufficient protection, study and management of the site, two visits to Soba were made in 2018. The first in order to check the potential of geophysical prospection, and the second to initiate community outreach activities. With promising results, the project has received funding for 3 years from the National Science Centre in Poland and support from the National Corporation for Antiquities and Museums and Neelain University.