Meravi pyramids, also known as Nubian pyramids; It is located on desert sands in northern Sudan. The image of the small and steep pyramids rising over the desert is very effective. In the region known as the Ancient City of Meroe (Meravi), there are over 200 pyramids, large and small, reminiscent of Egyptian pyramids. Unlike the famous Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, these pyramids are almost deserted in the middle of the desolate desert. The pyramids and its surroundings, which many people are unaware of, were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2011 under the name of “Meroe Island Archaeological Sites”.
The Meroe Region, where the Pyramids are located, is located in Bagrawiyah, 200 kilometers north of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan. These pyramids, which are almost the size of the Egyptian pyramids, do not receive many visitors. Foreign aid and investments to be provided for the pyramids are prevented due to internal turmoil and conflicts in the country. This prevents the promotion of the pyramids and the development of tourism in the region. The area where the pyramids are located is guarded by the sudan soldiers. The people of the village near the city take tourists around with their camels and sell souvenirs at the local stalls they have opened at the entrance.
The ancient city of Meravi and the characteristics of the Pyramids
The pyramids in the ancient city of Meravi BC. 8th century AD. It is known that it was built between the 4th century. a nearby area from egyptian pyramids Although they are much larger in number, they are slightly smaller in size. Pyramids, some of which are in ruins; It is divided into three groups as south, north and west pyramids. The length of the pyramids varies between 6 meters and 30 meters.
The Meroe Region is characterized as an island because it is surrounded by a river that was established a long time ago. The region was the capital of the Kingdom of Kush, known as the black pharaohs. The city represents one of the early states established in the middle Nile region. The Kingdom of Kush is one of the oldest and most impressive states located south of the Sahara. It is estimated that the pyramids, which have survived for centuries, were completed before the pyramids in Egypt. Although some sources state that these pyramids in Sudan were influenced by Egypt, it is estimated that the Pyramids are 800 years older than those in Egypt.
These pyramids, whose entrances generally face east, were built over the tombs of the Bird Dynasties. There are corpses that were burned or buried without mummification in the tombs. On the walls of the pyramids, various ornaments and reliefs are depicted, as well as in some events. The elements of Egyptian, Greek and Roman culture used in its decoration turn the pyramids into very valuable works. Some monumental obelisks, metal vessels and pottery written in the Meroitic language were found inside the pyramids. The reliefs contain the names of some kings and queens, their pictures, and some parts of the book of the dead. Some of the best preserved of the reliefs found were disassembled and some were sent to the British Museum and some to the museum in Khartoum.
In 1910, excavations were started in the city and the cemetery by J. Garstang of the University of Liverpool. The ruins of a palace built by the Meroe kings and several temples have been discovered in the area. Over time, the ends of some of the pyramids, which were made of gold, were removed, and the number of some stone blocks decreased. Many of the pyramids have been severely damaged, and some have been restored improperly. Studies have been started so that the Sudanese pyramids, which look like a lost city in the middle of the desert, can receive the expected attention.
