Western Deffufa

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Western Deffufa
Western Deffufa - Kerma.jpg
The temple in 2009
Sudan adm location map.svg
Archaeological site icon (red).svg
Location in Sudan
Location Northern State, Sudan
Type Temple
Heightc.20 meters
History
Material Mudbrick
Foundedc.2500 BC

The Western Deffufa, located in the ancient city of Kerma in northern Sudan, is one of the oldest known monumental structures in the Nile Valley, dating back to at least 2500 BC. [1] [2] Rising about 20 meters (65 feet) high, it was built entirely from sun-dried mudbricks. Inside, the structure consists of a series of chambers and courtyards, thought to have been used for religious activities, rituals, and ceremonies central to the Kerma civilization. [3] The word "Deffufa" comes from the Nubian language, referring to buildings made of mudbrick, which were common Kerma’s architectural style. [4]

The Western Deffufa has been the focus of significant archaeological interest since its discovery in the early 20th century. Excavations led by Charles Bonnet and his team have revealed much of the site's layout and have uncovered numerous artifacts, including pottery, religious icons, and tools, all of which offer insight into the daily and spiritual life of the Kerma civilization. [5]

References

  1. "Kerma chronology". www.kerma.ch.
  2. Radner, Karen; Moeller, Nadine; Potts, Daniel T. (21 April 2022). The Oxford History of the Ancient Near East. Oxford University Press. pp. 102–103. ISBN   978-0-19-068760-1.
  3. "Features - A Nubian Kingdom Rises - Archaeology Magazine - September/October 2020". Archaeology Magazine. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  4. Manzo, Andrea; Kendall, Timothy (2000). "Kerma and the Kingdom of Kush, 2500-1500 B.C.: The Archaeological Discovery of an Ancient Nubian Empire" . African Arts. 33 (2): 16. doi:10.2307/3337772. ISSN   0001-9933. JSTOR   3337772.
  5. Trigger, Bruce G. (1976). "Kerma: The Rise of an African Civilization" . The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 9 (1): 1–21. doi:10.2307/217388. ISSN   0361-7882. JSTOR   217388.