A fascinating discovery has recently emerged from the Ghazali Monastery Cemetery in northern Sudan, shedding light on the intricate cultural and religious practices of medieval Nubians. In an extensive post-excavation study, a team of archaeologists uncovered a rare and significant tattoo on the foot of an individual buried at the site. This individual, designated Ghz-1-002, is only the second known case of a tattooed medieval Nubian, and this rare find offers invaluable insights into the religious and social customs of the time.
The study, led by a team of researchers including Ph.D. candidate Kari A. Guilbault, Dr. Robert J. Stark, and Dr. Artur Obłuski, focused on individuals interred at the Ghazali Monastery Cemetery, located in the Bayuda Desert of northern Sudan. The site, first established around AD 680, served as a center of Christian religious activity for centuries, functioning as both a place of worship and a monastic community. The cemetery itself was divided into distinct sections, with Cemetery 1 used for the burial of individuals close to religious significance, known as “ad sanctos” burials. This particular cemetery was reserved for those closely connected with the monastic community, indicating that Ghz-1-002 was likely a devout and religiously committed individual.
The Ghazali Monastery Cemetery is situated near iron-smelting facilities, settlements, and four separate burial grounds. However, it is the discovery of the tattooed individual in Cemetery 1 that has captured the attention of archaeologists. The tattooed remains were of a male, approximately aged between 35 and 50 at the time of death, with a death estimate of around AD 667-774 based on radiocarbon dating. The body had undergone partial mummification due to the dry, arid climate of the region, with the foot being one of the few areas to retain distinctive soft tissue. The tattoo itself was found on the right foot, a detail that would later prove to be of significant importance both symbolically and contextually.
The research team employed full-spectrum photography and advanced image-enhancing technologies, such as DStretch, to analyze the tattoo’s design. The results revealed that the tattoo, measuring approximately 16 x 26 mm, consisted of three distinct Christian symbols. The design incorporated a Christogram, which consisted of the Greek letters rho (P) and chi (X), representing the first two letters of the name “Christ” in Greek. Additionally, the tattoo included the Greek letters alpha (A) and omega (Ω), signifying the beginning and the end, symbolic of Christ as the eternal and encompassing force of all things. The presence of these symbols within the tattoo was a clear indicator of the individual’s Christian faith.
The specific placement of the tattoo on the right foot holds further significance. According to Guilbault, the design was likely intended to be a private sign of religious devotion, one that could only be viewed by the bearer in an upright position. This suggests that the tattoo may have served as a personal, intimate expression of faith, potentially linked to pilgrimage. Throughout antiquity, especially within the Nile Valley region, foot graffiti and symbols were often used to indicate the act of pilgrimage to sacred Christian sites, a practice associated with personal devotion and religious journeying. Given this context, it is highly probable that Ghz-1-002’s tattooed foot represented a personal connection to sacred spaces and perhaps to the Ghazali Monastery itself, a key religious site of the medieval Nubian Christian community.
The tattoo is not just remarkable for its religious significance, but also for its rarity. While tattoos have a long history in Nubian culture, this is only the second known example of a tattoo from the medieval Nubian period. Historically, Nubian tattoos were more commonly associated with women, often featuring geometric patterns and botanical motifs. These tattoos were typically found on the arms, torso, and legs. One other individual from ancient Sudan, dating back to the C-group period (ca. 2400–1550 BCE), was reported to have tattoos on their foot, though this example is separated by thousands of years from the tattoo of Ghz-1-002. This further underlines the rarity and importance of the new find, highlighting the continuity of tattooing in the region, albeit with evolving symbolism.
In fact, the only other known tattoo from the medieval Nubian period also carries religious connotations. A monogram of St. Michael was discovered on the thigh of a female mummified individual during excavations at the British Museum. While tattoos in Nubia and the broader Nile Valley were not uncommon, especially during earlier periods, their religious symbolism in the medieval period marks a shift toward more personal expressions of faith, intertwined with the Christian influences that permeated the region following the spread of Christianity in Nubia during the medieval period.
The discovery of Ghz-1-002’s tattoo raises intriguing questions about the role of tattoos in the religious and social landscape of medieval Nubia. It’s likely that the individual buried in Cemetery 1 was someone of considerable religious devotion, as this section of the cemetery was reserved for those with a special connection to the monastery or its religious practices. This burial location suggests that Ghz-1-002 may have been an important figure within the Christian community, possibly a monk or a layperson who adhered deeply to Christian beliefs. The choice to have a tattoo of significant Christian symbols indicates a personalized form of religious expression, and its location—on the foot—implies a symbolic connection to Christian pilgrimage, which was a common practice at the time.
The medieval period in Nubia saw the region firmly embracing Christianity after the kingdom of Nubia’s conversion in the 6th century. The Ghazali Monastery was one of the prominent religious sites during this period, and the Christian influence was deeply embedded in the local culture. By the time Ghz-1-002 was interred, the monastery had already played a central role in the Christianization of the region, contributing to the spread of religious ideas and practices, including Christian iconography, ritual, and even personal expressions of faith, such as tattoos. Tattoos, while still a personal form of expression, were increasingly linked to religious and spiritual beliefs, particularly as Christianity became more deeply woven into the cultural fabric of Nubian society.
The findings from this study also underline the broader significance of the Ghazali Monastery Cemetery as an archaeological site. The monastery and its surrounding areas provide a wealth of information about the daily lives, religious practices, and customs of medieval Nubian Christians. The careful analysis of the burial practices, artifacts, and remains from this site offers critical insight into the social and cultural dynamics of the time. The discovery of Ghz-1-002’s tattoo adds a layer of depth to our understanding of how individuals in this medieval Nubian community expressed their faith and how tattoos may have been an important part of both personal devotion and religious identity.
Moreover, the advanced technologies used in this research—such as full-spectrum photography and DStretch—are increasingly allowing archaeologists to uncover details that were previously invisible to the naked eye. The ability to identify and enhance minute features, such as tattoos on mummified remains, is revolutionizing how we understand the personal histories of individuals from ancient cultures. This tattoo, preserved in such remarkable detail, offers an intimate glimpse into the life and beliefs of a person who lived over a thousand years ago, providing a direct connection to the past that is rare in archaeological research.
The discovery of the tattooed individual from Ghazali Monastery Cemetery represents a rare and valuable contribution to our understanding of the medieval Nubian Christian world. It not only highlights the spiritual significance of tattoos but also provides a new perspective on the religious practices and personal expressions of faith during a transformative period in the history of Nubia. As research into the ancient cultures of the Nile Valley continues, discoveries like this one will undoubtedly help to refine and enrich our knowledge of the complex and dynamic history of this region.
More information: Kari A. Guilbault et al, Faith embodied: a tattooed individual from medieval Ghazali, Antiquity (2024). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2024.193