Nubian pyramids
The Nubian pyramids were built by the rulers of the ancient Kushite kingdoms. The area of the Nile valley known as Nubia, which lies in northern present-day Sudan, was the site of three Kushite kingdoms during antiquity. The capital of the first was at Kerma (2500–1500 BC). The second was centered on Napata (1000–300 BC). The third kingdom was centered on Meroë (300 BC–300 AD). The pyramids are built of granite and sandstone.
Aerial view of the pyramids of Meroë | |
Location of Nubian pyramids | |
| Alternative name | Nubian pyramids |
|---|---|
| Location | Sudan |
| Coordinates | 16°56′15″N 33°44′55″E |
| Type | Pyramids |
| History | |
| Founded | 800 BC – AD 100 |
Heavily influenced by the Egyptians, Nubian kings built their own pyramids 1000 years after Egyptian burial methods had changed. In Nubia, pyramids were built for the first time at El Kurru in 751 BC. The Nubian-style pyramids emulated a form of Egyptian private elite family pyramid that was common during the New Kingdom. There are twice as many Nubian pyramids still standing today as there are Egyptian. Forty of the pyramids were partially demolished by an Italian treasure hunter, Giuseppe Ferlini, in the 1830s. The Nubian pyramids are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.