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The Nubian Pyramids in Kerma, Sudan

Today we are in in Kerma Sudan where we are exploring the majestic Nubian pyramids to experience and relive the history behind these beautiful ancient artefacts that were built by the rulers of the ancient Kushite kingdoms

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Kerma is the area which is found on the other part the of the Nile valley known as Nubia, which is recognised as the first centralised state with its own indigenous forms of architecture and burial customs.

Nubia, which lay within present-day Sudan, was home to the ancient Nubian Pyramids and three Kushite kingdoms since time immemorial.

The Nubian pyramids

The Nubian pyramids were constructed at three sites in Nubia over a period of a few hundred years to serve as tombs for the kings and queens of Napata and Meroë. The first of these was built at the site of el-Kurru, including the tombs of King Kashta and his son Piye (Piankhi), together with Piye’s successors Shabaka, Shabataka, and Tanwetamani. Historians claim that fourteen pyramids which can be compared to approximately 120 much larger pyramids constructed in Ancient Egypt over a period of 3000 years, were erected for the Nubian queens, several of whom were renowned warrior queens.

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Kerma, Sudan, Royal cemetery of ancient Meroe
Three royal cemeteries were constructed near Meroe in Kerma, Sudan and these include;

  • The South Cemetery is the burial-place of the Meroitic side of the royal family from ca 720 – 300 BCE  which distinctively features nine royal pyramids. One can find the main royal burial site for the Kings of Meroe as they move towards the end of the cemetery. Apparently four of the pyramids belonged to Kings and five belonged to queens and one hundred and ninety-five other tombs complete the cemetery. 
  • The North cemetery contains the royal burials of the Kings and Queens of Meroe from ca 300 BCE to about 350 AD. The northern cemetery boasts of about forty-one royal pyramids thirty of which belonged to kings, six to queens and five to other royals. To top it all off, the cemetery is also a host to three more non-royal tombs for a total of forty-four.
  • The West cemetery is a non-royal site which accommodates some one hundred and thirteen tombs.
Kerma, Sudan, Meroe pyramids overview

Kerma, Sudan, Meroe pyramids overview. Source:worldalldetails

Kerma, Sudan, Royal cemetery of ancient Meroe

Kerma, Sudan, Royal cemetery of ancient Meroe

Kerma, Sudan, Royal cemetery of ancient Meroe. Source:worldalldetails

Kerma, Sudan, Meroe pyramids interior view

Kerma, Sudan, Meroe pyramids interior view

Kerma, Sudan, Meroe pyramids interior view. Source:worldalldetails

Kerma, Sudan, Meroe pyramids with ancient writings

Kerma, Sudan, Meroe pyramids with ancient writings.

Kerma, Sudan, Meroe pyramids with ancient writings. Source:worldalldetails

 

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