EARLY MASONRY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7731, 26 February 1909, Page 4

EARLY MASONRY.

An interesting discovery of early Christian remains has recently been made at Wad-el-Hadad, on the Blue Nile, a few miles north of Sennar. While the foundations of a rest-house for the Irrigation Department were being dug, a number of graves were found containing skeletons, with feet to the East. Round the head _of each was a quantity of pottery, consisting of bowls and jars, all m a good state o) preservation. The bowls arc for the most part of dark clay, and decorated with what are known as Nubian patterns. On one of them is a Coptic processional cross, and the same emblem is scratched inside the lids of the jars, where it is associated with two other Christian emblems—the fish and the palm-branch. On the neck of one of the jars is a mason's mark, and another of the jars, which are of reel ware, has a spout as well as a handle. A comparison of the pottery with that found on Nubian sites between the first ami 2secoud cataracts makes it probable that it should be dated m seventh or eighth century A.D. ihe chief interest of the discovery lies m the fact that it is the first time that Christian remains had been met with so far south, and wo may therefore look forward to the discovery of other early Christian remains m the neighbourhood of the Blue Nile. At present very little is known of the history of Christianity m these regions, and we must look forward to excavation to throw light upon it. A quarter of an hour's walk from the graves are two moumls, cdlod by the natives Beyt-el-Anak, "The House of Aunk " (a preMnhomednii people), which doubtless mark the w:tc of an old Christian church and monastery. Excavation would probably bring to light early Christian inscriptions.