Around the Gebel al-Ain many archaeological sites are situated, mostly graveyards of the post-Meroitic and medieval Christian period. The most prominent archaeological sites are a ruined monastery in the west of the mountain - the south-westernmost outpost of the Makurian state known so far[1] - and a settlement of round huts with a surrounding wall close to Bir al-Ain southwest of the main top of the mountain.[2]