Pyramids of Meroe

Pyramids of Meroe is an archaeological site in Meroe, Sudan, where more than one hundred structures of sand-colored stone stand on both banks of a dry riverbed. The complex divides into two main groups, with the northern zone containing larger monuments and the southern enclosing smaller burial sites.

The Kingdom of Kush moved its seat of government here around 300 BCE and began erecting burial monuments for rulers and high officials. Construction continued into the fourth century CE, when the kingdom fell to outside invasions.

The structures display Meroitic script and reliefs of deities such as Apedemak, a lion-headed war god worshipped only in this kingdom. Visitors today recognize in the still-visible decorative elements a religious practice that merged Egyptian models with local beliefs.

The site lies far from larger towns and requires a multi-day journey by off-road vehicle across unpaved tracks. Water and shade are scarce, so visiting early in the morning or late afternoon with ample drinking supplies is wise.

The chambers were dynamited in the 19th century by an Italian treasure hunter who destroyed the ceilings to reach grave goods faster. His looting left characteristic scars at the tops of many monuments that remain visible today as marks of the past.