Well, some areas are populated today thanks to the scientific advances in chemistry, energy recollection and transgenics in the last 50 years. Khartoum was a tentpole camp for the Ottoman Egyptian army on 1820, but some miles away was Soba, the ancient capital of Alodia. Check. But Kessala is a densely populated city today, not yet 150 years old, standing where there has been almost nothing for centuries. In the middle of minor routes connecting Erythrea and the coast with Meroe and Alodia. There could be something there, but most likely there isn't. And I don't know how to name it, as Rich just said.