From Homescape to Flora Landscape

Overview

This study examines archaeobotanical remains extracted from mudbricks at four Christian sites in the El Mahas region of Sudan. The research applies phytolith and macroremain analysis techniques to earthen building materials, a methodological approach rarely applied in Sudanese archaeology. The extracted plant assemblages provide evidence of subsistence patterns and local flora composition during the Christian period in this region.

Methods and approach

Mudbrick samples totaling four kilograms were collected from four archaeological sites during fieldwork in April 2019. Samples underwent hydration in water for six hours to facilitate disaggregation of the matrix. The processed material was passed through metal sieves with 0.5 mm and 1 mm mesh openings. Dried fractions were examined under magnification and compared against a reference collection of fresh seeds and published identification literature. Faunal remains and other inclusions were noted during the sorting process.

Key Findings

Seven plant species were identified from the extracted macroremains: Triticum aestivum, Hordeum vulgare, Sorghum bicolor, Setaria italica, Adansonia digitata, Acacia nilotica, and Cyperus rotundus. Substantial quantities of unidentified Poaceae glumes were present across all four sample sites. Ancillary faunal assemblages including animal dung and insect fragments were recovered during processing. The identified flora encompassed three ecological categories: riverine wild vegetation, cultivated species, and established wild trees.

Implications

The archaeobotanical assemblage reflects a mixed subsistence economy incorporating both cereal agriculture and exploitation of wild plant resources in the El Mahas region. The presence of multiple domesticated grain species alongside wild taxa suggests integrated land use practices during the Christian period. The recovery of animal dung indicates pastoral activity concurrent with cultivation. These findings demonstrate the utility of mudbrick analysis for reconstructing ancient flora composition and settlement-scale economic organization in Sudan, where such materials remain a dominant archaeological dataset.