1786.b.33, 2(27)

Genre: Archaeological Photography

General view of the ruins of a large brick structure: 'After having taken the previous picture and while walking on the elevated plateau of the desert, we perceived, at a distance, the subject of this photograph … It is situated about four or five miles above Amada, is of considerable size and extent, and standing as it does, on an elevated situation, is a very conspicuous object ... Looking at the foundations, it is a mere matter of conjecture for what uses so large a building was originally intended, particularly in such a situation ... It is probable that it may have been one of the permanent Roman camps, which they are known to have possessed in Nubia, and that the Christians of the third or fourth century had erected a monastery or some religious establishment upon its foundations. The photograph shews the height of these foundations and the size of the stones with which they were built; it also shews that the height of the present building was originally at least three stories...'