Sodmein Playa

Description

During surveying activities of wadi terraces a new archaeological site “Sodmein Playa” 14/01 was discovered around 3 km south-west of Sodmein Cave. Sodmein Playa is located behind a linear terrace remnant, which is elevated up to 2 m above the present wadi floor. In this rather protected geomorphological situation – between numerous hills of Nubian Sandstone – a small former lake basin was found. On the surface a concentration of Middle Stone Age (MSA) artefacts, which seem to weather was observed. Sodmein Playa is the first open air-site in the Eastern Desert of Egypt that demonstrates Pleistocene human occupation in association with a lacustrine environment.