MASHALA, T. EL-  [577]

 
 

This site lies on the western side of a large sand gezira. On the east side is the site of Tell es-Sanyurah (SCA 13050071, EES 678). Work has been carried out by the University of Toronto at Tell el-Mashala: The third field season at Tell el-Mashala, June 15 to July 31, 2004 directed by Sabrina Rampersad (University of Toronto), saw further excavation of the Late Predynastic and Early Dynastic remains along the western edge of the tell. Several contracted burials were uncovered, one of which bore grave items consisting of two whole vessels and half a large oyster shell. The presence of goods, albeit meagre, in association with this individual is the first indication of social stratification within the ancient population of this site. Furthermore, artifacts of Upper Egyptian origin were uncovered, most notably, a fragment of a small breccia ointment jar from one of the habitation contexts. The flaked tool industry (the bladelet) continues to dominate the artifactual assemblage, but other important finds are bladelet cores, small round clay discs (perhaps used as pot lids), upper and lower grinding stones, hammerstones, faunal remains, and shell fragments.