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Sudan

Esh Shaheinab

Holocene site with diverse pottery traditions.

Time Periods

Paleolithic

Paleolithic

Mesolithic

Mesolithic

Neolithic

Neolithic

Chalcolithic

Chalcolithic

Bronze Age

Bronze Age

Iron Age

Iron Age

Classical Period

Classical Period

Post-Classical Period

Post-Classical Period

Early Modern Period

Early Modern Period

Industrial Period

Industrial Period

Contemporary Period

Contemporary Period

Location

About

Esh Shaheinab is a significant archaeological site located about 50 km north of Omdurman on the west bank of the Nile in Sudan. Occupied during the early Holocene, it showcases a sequence of cultural phases including the Early Khartoum, Neolithic, and Late Neolithic periods. The site is renowned for its diverse pottery traditions, which include distinctive dotted-wavy line patterns. These ceramics reflect the adaptive strategies of semi-sedentary hunter-gatherers transitioning slowly towards pastoralism. The site also provides evidence of a shift in subsistence practices characterized by the increasing importance of domesticated animals. Esh Shaheinab's stratigraphy reveals its transformation into a burial ground during the Late Neolithic, highlighting shifts in cultural and social practices. The site offers crucial insights into the prehistoric life and technological advancements of central Sudanese communities.

Archaeological Features

Explore the unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

Burial and Funerary Structures

Burial ground

Food Production and Processing Features

Hearths

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's archaeological history

Plan Your Visit

Details

Country
Sudan
Source
Wikipedia