Archaeological Sites of Meroe

In a desert in eastern Sudan, along the banks of the Nile River, lies a collection of nearly 200 ancient pyramids—many of them tombs of the kings and queens of the Meroitic Kingdom which ruled the area for more than 900 years. The site, known as the Island of Meroë because an ancient, long-dried river ran around it, once served as the principle residence of the rulers of the Kush kingdom – one of the earliest civilisations in the Nile region – and known as the Black Pharaohs. The pyramids, some 125 miles north of Sudan\’s capital, Khartoum, are rarely visited despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sanctions against the government of longtime President Omar al-Bashir over Sudan’s long-running internal conflicts limit its access to foreign aid and donations, while also hampering tourism.

credit: joepyrek