15-Y-16 Tangur – ‘Kerma’ cemetery

This cemetery on the ‘east’ bank in the Melik en Nasr area, lay c.250m east of the hamlet of Tangur, c.500m from the river. It contained 41 graves or other features, which were quite varied in form and contents, some containing typical Classic Kerma material but also some more unusual finds. One (much disturbed) grave (38) contained a copper alloy sword with an ivory handle, wrapped in textile, as well as a copper alloy razor.

‘Kerma’ cemetery 15-Y-16 before excavation with some grave superstructures visible (1969).
‘Kerma’ cemetery 15-Y-16 after excavation (November 1969).

Much of the pottery found in burials was of of well-known Classic Kerma types, while Egyptian imports were also quite common finds. One more unusual grave (grave 30) contained several Egyptian vessels along with some quite coarse pottery, presumably locally produced. This grave also contained 4 scarabs, as well as a mother-of-pearl bracelet, of a type most usually encountered in ‘Pan-Grave’ burials.

Field plan of bed burial in Grave 30, excavated by Lars Gezelius, November 1969.
‘Kerma’ cemetery 15-Y-16: Egyptian and locally made pottery from Grave 30
Scarabs from 15-Y-16, Grave 30
Mother-of-pearl plates (15) forming a bracelet, from Grave 30. These are more commonly associated with ‘Pan Grave’ burials.
‘Kerma’ cemetery 15-Y-16 before excavation with some grave superstructures visible (1969).