Masida is situated eight kilometres away from the Nile, in an area enclosed by a sharp eastward turn in the river above the Third Cataract. The site features a small medieval church built high up in the rocks in the middle of the desert. The partly collapsed mudbrick walls still preserve the remains of wall paintings.
The church probably appropriates an older sacral place, which may explain its position in this isolated location – it was constructed against a large boulder which carries a unique rock drawing of a male figure wearing a kilt, rich jewellery and weapons. The depiction is hard to date, but its large size, careful execution and iconographic details suggest it to be Napatan, Meroitic or post-Meroitic in age.
