16-V-42 Turmukki island

The site was located in an area of alluvium leading into rocky outcrops, c.170m from the south side of Turmukki island, c.1.3km from its west end. A small cemetery was very denuded and its original full extent could not be determined. Three graves were identified, but in an area where at least 46 medieval (Christian) storage pits were later excavated. Some A-Group material was found in one other pit (4), perhaps a plundered grave later re-used as a storage pit. The A-Group burials were thought likely to be associated with a nearby settlement site [16-V-38], closer to the river. Investigated by Lars Gezelius in April 1968. The site was notable both for its island location and the range of A-Group artefact types.

View from area of cemetery towards south bank of Turmukki island. An A-Group settlement area was identified, and tested, on sloping ground on right side of image.
A-Group ripple-burnished redware bowls from Grave 1.
Quartzite palette and copper alloy awl from Grave 1.
Lamp/incense burner. ‘Gypsum’, from Grave 1
Shell beads from Grave 1
Piece of copper from Grave 1.

Fine ripple-burnished RP-BT bowl from pit (grave?) 4.

‘Bone’ (shell?) hook or pendant – a type of object found in large quantities at Qustul – from pit (grave?) 4.