Egypt Isn’t The World's Largest Pyramid Site—This Country Is!

Most people immediately think of "Egypt" when they hear the word "pyramids" including the famous Great Pyramid of Giza, the mysterious Sphinx, and the powerful pharaohs. However many people are unaware that, Egypt isn't home to the greatest concentration of pyramids in the world. Instead, the ancient Kingdom of Kush built more than twice as many pyramids in the Sudanese deserts.

Sudan pyramids / Image Credit: Wikimedia

Despite Egypt's greater fame, the pyramids in Sudan which known as Nubian Pyramids are just as amazing as those in Egypt. These historic buildings show the remnants of a powerful civilization that merged Pharaonic elements with its own cultural identity to rule Egypt in the past. These long-overlooked pyramids, dispersed throughout the Nubian desert, are timeless reminders of an empire that flourished in the shadows of history.

From 800 BCE to 350 CE, the Kingdom of Kush flourished and became one of Africa's most powerful nations. The Kushites who lived in what is now Sudan were well known for their skillful engineering of strategic trading networks and military might. They were a dominant force in the area because they controlled important trade routes along the Nile. 

During the height of their power, the Kushites not only lived alongside Egypt but also overran it.  At approximately 770 BCE, King Piye led his armies northward, taking over Egypt's magnificent temples of Memphis and Thebes. Kushite kings sometimes known as the Black Pharaohs ruled Egypt for almost a century during this period known as the 25th Dynasty. 

Following their eventual withdrawal from Egypt, the Kushites carried on their illustrious architectural heritage by erecting cities replete with pyramids in homage to their monarchs.

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The royal city of Meroe which is close to modern-day Khartoum is one of the most beautiful relics of the Kushite Empire. With almost 200 pyramids, Meroe is home to the largest pyramid cluster in the world. But outside of Sudan not many people are aware of it. 

Pyramids built by the Kushite kings at Meroe between 300 BC and roughly 350 AD. / Image Credit: Wikimedia

The pyramids of Kushite are smaller, more compact and grouped in dense clusters than the enormous pyramids of Egypt. Numerous of them have chapels with elaborate carvings that combine distinctive Nubian artistry with Egyptian hieroglyphics. 41 Kushite kings were buried in these pyramids with artifacts that were supposed to remain with them in the afterlife. 

In addition to its function as a necropolis, Meroe was a thriving commercial hub an iron manufacturing hub and a cross-cultural melting pot. The city ruled over precious resources like gold ivory and exotic goods, and linked Africa with the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Meroe was one of the most influential and affluent cities in antiquity for many centuries.

Despite drawing inspiration from Egyptian tombs, Kushite pyramids developed into a unique architectural style. These monuments were constructed centuries after Egypt had stopped building pyramids, show how a civilization preserved traditions while transforming them into something distinctively Nubian.

More than just copies, the Kushite pyramids represented a civilization that preserved its African roots while embracing Egyptian culture.

Image Credit: Pexels

The pyramids in Sudan have been neglected and destroyed despite their historical significance. When European explorers rediscovered these sites in the 19th century, their main focus was no longer preservation but rather treasure hunting. 

Italian explorer Giuseppe Ferlini is one of the most well-known examples, in his quest for gold he dynamited multiple pyramids, turning numerous historic buildings into rubble. Some of the most important archaeological sites in Sudan were permanently harmed by his careless actions. 

These historic marvels are still in danger due to contemporary threats. Decades of natural erosion, looting, and political unrest have put these pyramids in danger of disappearing forever. In contrast to Egypt's monuments, which enjoy the advantages of international tourism and intensive conservation initiatives. Sudan's pyramids are still mainly unprotected and disregarded by the world community.

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Sudan Still Have a Chance to Preserve These Pyramids

The forgotten pyramids of Sudan have a chance to be preserved. These endangered buildings received new attention in 2011, when UNESCO designated Meroe as a World Heritage Site. While archaeologists and conservationists are trying to stabilize the pyramids, political issues and a lack of funding continue to be major obstacles. 

Sudan’s Forgotten Pyramids – Video by Drew Binsky

A possible remedy would be tourism, which provides both financial assistance and international awareness. However, it is challenging to conduct large-scale tourism in Sudan due to its inadequate infrastructure and persistent political unrest. Yet, the reward is unparalleled for daring tourists: the opportunity to explore some of the most amazing, but least-visited ancient wonders in the world, far from the bustling Egyptian sites.