El-Kurru, Royal burial complex in Northern State, Sudan
The pyramids and tombs of El Kurru stretch across three sections divided by two wadis, featuring different architectural styles from tumuli to pyramids.
The cemetery operated from 860 BC to 650 BC, serving as the primary burial ground for the Kushite kings of the 25th Egyptian Dynasty.
The burial structures at El Kurru demonstrate the evolution of Nubian funeral practices, from simple earth mounds to elaborate pyramid constructions with decorated chambers.
The archaeological site, located 1.6 kilometers west of the Nile River, contains sixteen royal tombs and multiple pyramid structures accessible for research.
The excavations by George Reisner in 1918 revealed the tomb of King Piye, the first ruler with a named burial at the site.
Location: Northern State
Part of: Gebel Barkal and the Sites of the Napatan Region
GPS coordinates: 18.40891,31.77046
Latest update: May 11, 2025 22:45
Sudan offers photographers a substantial mix of ancient monuments, desert formations and river landscapes. The country contains more than 200 pyramids at Meroe, Nuri and El-Kurru that differ markedly from their Egyptian counterparts. These Nubian structures rise from the desert with few visitors present, allowing unobstructed shooting. The National Museum of Sudan in Khartoum and the museums at Kerma and Karima display artifacts from the kingdoms of Kush and Meroe. Archaeological sites including Jebel Barkal, Soleb Temple, Naqa and Al-Musawwarat es-Sufra document the region's historical position as a crossroads of African and Mediterranean cultures. The confluence of the Blue and White Nile in Khartoum creates a distinct dividing line between differently colored waters. Tuti Island and Sabaloka Gorge provide perspectives on the river environment. The Nubian Desert, Bayuda Desert with its volcanic cones and the Kassala Mountains present different desert settings. At the Red Sea port of Suakin, 19th-century coral stone buildings slowly deteriorate, while Sanganeb National Park gives access to coral reefs. The markets of Omdurman and Kassala, along with the Sufi shrine at Sheikh Hamad-al Nil, record contemporary Sudanese life. These locations provide substantial photographic opportunities in a country that receives considerably fewer tourists than its neighbors.
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