CATALYST PLANET - A Look at the Nubian Pyramids of Sudan

Sudan’s archaeological wonders are seldom visited by travelers.

The pyramids of Meroe at sunrise. Guillot. CC2.0

Although pyramids are commonly associated with Egypt, Sudan has more pyramids than its well-known neighbor. Rising from the Sudanese desert on the eastern banks of the Nile lies a group of 200 magnificent pyramids, known as the pyramids of Meroe. Located 125 miles north of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, the pyramids are one of Sudan’s major attractions and archaeological sites.

Historical ruins in Sudan. Nina R. CC2.0

A Brief History of Sudan’s Pyramids

Sudan’s pyramids date back from 2,700 to 2,300 years ago. They are located in Nubia, an area of the Nile that spans southern Egypt and northern Sudan. The area was occupied by three Kushite kingdoms throughout history, which rose to power in 1000 B.C. after the fall of Egypt’s 24th dynasty. Known as “Egypt’s Black Pharaohs,” the kingdom of Kush established capital cities in Kerma, Napata and later Meroe, which contains the most impressive archaeological sites, including 40 tombs and burial sites. Similarly to ancient Egypt, the Sudanese pyramids were built as tombs for kings and queens, although they were built almost 800 years after the Egyptians stopped building pyramids. Interestingly, the pyramids in Sudan are much shorter and narrower than their Egyptian counterparts, with unique temples at their bases containing Kushite, Egyptian, Greek and Roman influences. Sudan’s pyramids are a fascinating glimpse into understanding the link between Egyptian and African civilizations such as Kush in the lower Nile region.

An excavation in Saqqara, Egypt. Rigo. CC2.0.

Why Sudanese Pyramids are not Well Known

There are many reasons why the Sudanese pyramids are less well known than their Egyptian counterparts. In ancient times, the Kushite kingdoms were invaded frequently due to war and instability in the region. This resulted in many of their pyramids being raided. The pyramids were also subjected to looters in modern times from European explorers. In the mid-19th century, Italian explorer Giuseppe Ferlini blew open the tops of 40 pyramids while looking for riches. Artifacts from European excavations now reside in museums outside Sudan, mostly in Germany and England. Western archaeologists inaccurately portrayed the Kushite kings as racially inferior to the Egyptians and their pyramids as mere copies of Egyptian ones. This resulted in a lack of research on the Kushite kingdoms, which continued to reinforce negative and racist stereotypes of African civilizations in Western academia. Another reason is largely geographical. Many foreign powers throughout history, including ancient Greece, Rome and Britain, attempted to conquer Egypt due to its desirable location on the Mediterranean Sea. Being cut off by Islamic conquests in the 7th century, Sudan was less accessible to foreign invasion and archaeologists.

A view of the Corinthia Hotel in Khartoum, Sudan. Michel. CC2.0

Tourism in Sudan

Although Sudan’s glorious pyramids have the potential to become a popular tourist destination, the area surrounding the pyramids of Meroe remains largely untouched. Sudan’s international reputation has been hit hard due to years of civil unrest and the conflict of Darfur in the western part of the country. International sanctions have been particularly detrimental to the Sudanese economy and the travel industry. Although Sudan used to receive upwards of 150,000 tourists annually, the number has dropped to less than 15,000. Even though not many travelers make it to Sudan, those that do usually have nothing but amazing things to say about the country. Scot Michael Lawson, who spent six days in Sudan, remarked: “They don't seem to have the concept of tourism ... But actually Sudan is full of hidden treasures ...There's so much left to be found and that's what really strikes you in Sudan.” Hopefully as time progresses, the world will come to appreciate the incredible archaeological wonders in this fascinating country.