Africa's Christian Heritage, Rediscovered: New Remains of a Medieval Cathedral in Sudantranslated

A team of Sudanese and Polish archaeologists has unearthed new remains of the Great Church of Jesus in Old Dongola, Sudan.

Archaeological research is being carried out in the former capital of the Christian kingdom of Makuria by a team from the Polish Center for Mediterranean Archeology of the University of Warsaw, in collaboration with the Sudanese heritage and museum authorities, under the coordination of Professor Artur Obłuski.

The building, identified for the first time in 2021, is considered, according to Arab sources, the largest and richest church in medieval Nubia.

During the most recent archaeological campaign, researchers discovered a monumental staircase leading inside the church, as well as the buttresses that strengthened the apse. At the same time, they reached the level of the original floor of the cathedral for the first time.

Impressive dimensions Professor Artur Obłuski highlighted the importance that the place of worship could have had in the development of Christian architecture in this region of Africa.

"In the history of architecture certain buildings appear which, to use a modern term, become trendsetters. Saint Sophia in Constantinople...