Western deffufa, Ancient mudbrick temple in Kerma, Sudan.
The Western Deffufa is a massive mudbrick fortification rising about 18 meters with multiple stacked levels and thick walls. Inside, staircases connect columned rooms and galleries that lead to an upper platform, while chambers extend beneath the surface.
This structure was built around 2400 BCE as a temple during the Kingdom of Kerma, an independent civilization that thrived for roughly a thousand years. The kingdom later fell to external conquest, but the building survived the centuries intact.
This temple served as the religious center where the people of Kerma gathered for ceremonies and worship. The layout of its chambers and passages reveals how the community used the space for spiritual practices and collective rituals.
Access to the Deffufa is through the archaeological site of Kerma, where other ancient remains are also on display. Wear sturdy shoes and allow time to climb the various levels and explore the interior chambers and passages.
Excavations revealed that the Kerma civilization had organized streets and distinct residential districts, showing sophisticated urban planning rarely seen elsewhere in this ancient period. This suggests the structure was part of a well-developed city rather than an isolated religious site.
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