More Pyramids Are Still Standing in Sudan Today Than in Egypt
When we think of pyramids, Egypt is the first place that comes to mind. But more pyramids are still standing in Sudan today than in Egypt. Located in the country’s central and northern regions, Sudan’s Nubian pyramids were built by the rulers and wealthy elite of the ancient Kushite kingdoms, one of Africa’s earliest civilizations. These pyramids were built between 2700 and 2300 years ago.
The Nubian pyramids represent an extraordinary achievement of the Kushite civilization, which flourished during the ancient Kingdom of Kush, which existed from around 1070 BCE to 350 CE, and was located to the south of Egypt, in the area corresponding to modern-day Sudan. The relationship between the Nubians and Egyptians was deeply intertwined, and the cultural legacy of the Kushite kingdoms continues to be an important chapter in African history.
Although the Kushites were heavily influenced by Egyptian culture and custom, one of the most remarkable aspects of the Kushite civilization is its distinctive pyramid structures, built as tombs for royalty and wealthy citizens of Napata and Meroë. These pyramids, though smaller and steeper than the Egyptian ones, reflect the Kushites' reverence for their royal family and the afterlife. The Meroë pyramids, which number over 200, served as tombs for the kings and queens of the Meroitic period.
Layout of the pyramids of Meroë in 1821, via Wikipedia
The Kushite pyramids are distinguished by other unique architectural features. Unlike their Egyptian counterparts, the Nubian pyramids don’t have an internal burial chamber. Instead, the pyramids were found to be filled with rubble and dirt, and the tombs were concealed underground, accessed by buried staircases beneath the pyramids. Archaeologists have found more than 255 pyramids in four different sites, 40 of which were partially demolished by Guiseppe Ferlini — an Italian treasure hunter — in the 1830s.
Despite their size – which contrasts with the grand scale of the Egyptian pyramids – the Nubian pyramids are of great historical significance, not only because they represent the ingenuity and architectural achievments of the Kushites, but also for their role in the broader political and cultural interactions between Egypt and Nubia. During the 25th Dynasty, known as the "Kushite Dynasty," the Kushites conquered Egypt and ruled as Pharaohs. This period is considered one of the high points of Nubian power in Egypt. The Kushite rulers, such as Piye and Taharqa, sought to revive and preserve the traditions of their own homeland. They constructed monuments, including temples and pyramids, in Egypt, which served to reinforce their legitimacy as rulers.
The Kingdom of Kush rose to prominence after the fall of the New Kingdom of Egypt, and it developed its own identity, blending Egyptian customs with indigenous African practices. Its capitals—Nubia and Meroë— became centers of trade, culture, and religious activity. The kingdom eventually fell to internal strife and external invasions, particularly from the rising power of Axum. However, the legacy of the Kushite kingdoms and their pyramids endures as an important symbol of African civilization. The Nubian pyramids stand as testament to the artistic, architectural, and spiritual achievements of a people who played a central role in the history of Africa, yet whose contributions have often been overlooked in the broader narrative of ancient civilizations.
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