Pyramids of Meroë

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The Nubian pyramids were built by the rulers of the ancient Kushite kingdoms along the Nile in what is now northern Sudan. The pyramids of Meroe are small, steep royal tombs, usually between 6 and 30 metres tall, grouped in clusters in the desert. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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At a glance

Country: Sudan
Location: Meroë, Sudan
Built: -300
Height: 30 m
Type: Ancient site

Quick answers

Where is Pyramids of Meroë?

Pyramids of Meroë is in Meroë, Sudan.

When was Pyramids of Meroë built?

Pyramids of Meroë was built in 300 BC.

How tall is Pyramids of Meroë?

Pyramids of Meroë is about 30 m tall.

Royal tombs of the Kingdom of Kush: dozens of small, steep pyramids clustered in the desert.

Three Kushite kingdoms rose here. The first had its capital at Kerma (2500 to 1500 BC), the second was centred on Napata (1000 to 300 BC), and the third on Meroe (300 BC to 300 AD). Pyramid burials for kings and wealthy people lasted almost a thousand years, from about 700 BC to 350 AD. The last Nubian pyramid, and the last African pyramid, was built at Meroe around 350 AD.

From El-Kurru to Meroe

The earliest pyramids are at El-Kurru, from about 751 BC. The tradition is believed to have begun with King Piankhy. Later pyramids were built at Nuri, where the oldest and largest pyramid of all Nubia belongs to Taharqa, and at Jebel Barkal. When Napata fell, the capital moved to Meroe, where pyramid building began in 270 BC and lasted over 700 years. The largest at Meroe is 30 metres high and was probably built for Queen Amanishakheto.

Built differently from Egypt

Nubian pyramids are much steeper than Egyptian ones, with sides at about 70 degrees compared with 40 to 50. They are made of granite and sandstone and packed so close together that two may nearly touch. Inside, the burial chambers were lined with plaster and decorated with scenes from the life of the person. The pyramids were built above the chambers, and the entrances were filled after the funeral.

Raided pyramids

Ancient robbers plundered the tombs. In the 1830s the treasure hunter Giuseppe Ferlini raided Meroe and destroyed more than 40 pyramids. Today around 255 pyramids built by the Nubians are known, more than twice the number in Egypt.

Fun facts

Sudan has more pyramids than Egypt.
About 255 Nubian pyramids are known, more than twice as many as in Egypt.
Nubian pyramids have sides at about 70 degrees, much steeper than Egyptian ones.
The last African pyramid was built at Meroe around 350 AD.
Pyramid building in Kush lasted almost a thousand years.