Uronarti

Uronarti

Uronarti.
Shown within Sudan
Location	Northern, Sudan
Region	Middle Kingdom
Coordinates	21°31′33″N 30°59′25″E / 21.52583°N 30.99028°E / 21.52583; 30.99028Coordinates: 21°31′33″N 30°59′25″E / 21.52583°N 30.99028°E / 21.52583; 30.99028
Type	Fortress

Uronarti was an ancient Egyptian fortress that was located on an island on the Nile River. It was located near the Second Cataract, specifically to the south of it. It stands out from the other fortresses because of its triangular-shaped geography. It is believed to be constructed during the Middle Kingdom (19th century BC) between the rulers Senusret I and Senusret III. Uronarti along with the other fortresses were established in Nubia during a time where the Egyptian influence was sought out to be expanded. And that is why Uronarti along with Buhen, Mirgissa, Shalfak, Askut, Dabenarti, Semna, and Kumma were established within signaling distance of each other.

There’s substantial lack of information of Uronarti and the fortresses. The triangular shaped fortress is situated on an island and took advantage of the narrow passage of the Nile River. Uronarti in size happens to be the second smallest fortress only being bigger than Askut. The fort had 5 meters thick and 10 meters high walls. It had a length and width of about 120 meters x 60 meters and was made of mud-brick. The fort in its time included loopholes, battlements, ramparts, buttresses, and bastions. There’s speculation in literature that Uronarti along with the other fortresses were strikingly impressive because they exceeded the requirements of the military and may have been considered a form of monumental architecture lime the Giza Pyramids. Also, near the site were located temples of Dedwen and Montu that were dedicated to them. In 1964, the Aswan Dam created Lake Nasser although the site was not submerged.

Uronarti was first excavated by British Archaeologist Noel F. Wheeler under the nominal supervision of George Andrew Reisner. The preliminary examination of the site was in May 1924. The excavations took place between November 15, 1928 – January 16, 1929 and February 5, 1930 – March 20, 1930. Reisner became one of the most prominent founding fathers of modern scientific archaeology.

In 2012, The Uronarti Regional Archaeology Project (URAP) was formed by Laurel Bestock and Christian Knoblauch to investigate an outpost of Uronarti. They focused on colonization events rather than broader colonial relations. During their time there they discovered Site FC, contemporary with the fortress itself.