What the study found
The study found that plant remains extracted from mudbrick at four Christian sites in Sudan included seven identified plant species. The authors also report some large unidentified deposits of wild-grass glumes, along with animal dung and insect remains.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say the archaeobotanical evidence from these sites provided evidence of the economy and flora landscape in the El Mahas region. The study suggests this mudbrick material offers a new perspective on applying extracted plant remains in Sudan.
What the researchers tested
The researchers collected about four kilograms of material during fieldwork in April 2019, with one kilogram from each of four Christian mudbrick sites in the Mahas Archaeological project. They soaked the material in water, sieved it through 0.5 mm and 1 mm meshes, dried the separated material, and examined it under binoculars using fresh seeds and identification literature as reference.
What worked and what didn't
Seven plant species were identified from seeds and fruits: Triticum aestivum, Hordeum vulgare, Sorghum bicolor, Setaria italica, Adansonia digitate, Acacia nilotica, and Cyperus rotundus. The samples also contained unidentified glumes of wild grasses from the Poaceae family, plus some animal dung and insect remains.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed limitations, and the identified material came from only four sites in one region. Some remains were identified only at a broader taxonomic level, such as wild grasses from the Poaceae family.
Key points
- Seven plant species were identified from mudbrick remains at four Christian sites in Sudan.
- The identified plants included wheat, barley, sorghum, foxtail millet, baobab, Acacia nilotica, and Cyperus rotundus.
- The samples also contained wild-grass glumes, animal dung, and insect remains.
- The authors say the evidence reflects the economy and flora landscape of the El Mahas region.
- The flora was divided into riverine wild flora, cultivated flora, and wild trees.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Mudbrick remains revealed seven plant species in Sudan
- Authors:
- Hamad Mohamed Hamdeen
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-26
- DOI:
- 10.5070/d6.63337
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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