Meroe North Cemetery Pyramid Field (Begarawiya)
Meroe North · Begarawiya North · Pyramids of Meroe North · Meroe Royal Necropolis North
Meroitic Kingdom (300 BCE–350 CE, preceded by Napatan 750–300 BCE Napatan early pyramids)·Kushite (Meroitic, post-Napatan, Egyptianised)·🇸🇩 River Nile State, Bayuda Desert east of Nile 8 km north of Meroe town, Begarawiya ridge, Sudan
About
About Meroe North Cemetery Pyramid Field (Begarawiya)
Northern royal necropolis of Kingdom of Kush at Meroe — Begarawiya North: 45 steep pyramids (Napatan to Meroitic 300 BCE–350 CE) of sandstone, 8–30 m base, 12–30 m high with chapel reliefs, steep 70° inclination, flat tops with capstones. Royal pyramids for kings and queens (Arkamani, Amanirenas, Natakamani) with eastern chapel, pylon, and descendry shaft leading to burial chambers with painted ceilings. UNESCO World Heritage 2011. Excavated Garstang-Reisner 1910s, Shinnie, Hakem, Wildung, and Qatar-Sudan mission recent laser. Re-used Napatan Jebel Barkal successors after move of capital Kush to Meroe 300 BCE.
Why it mattersLargest pyramid field in Africa (Meroe 100+ pyramids across north+south+west); demonstrates Meroitic shift of Kush capital south and steep Meroitic pyramid style vs Egyptian.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why steep 70° vs Egyptian 52°
- 02Meroitic script not deciphered on chapel walls
Theories
- 01Meroe relocation for iron resources and distance from Assyrian threat north
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.300 BCE–350 CE main; earliest 300–200 BCE transition from Napata
- Period
- Meroitic Kingdom (300 BCE–350 CE, preceded by Napatan 750–300 BCE Napatan early pyramids)
- Culture
- Kushite (Meroitic, post-Napatan, Egyptianised)
- Purpose
- Royal necropolis of Meroitic kings and queens — steep pyramids with chapel and descendry after Napata capital shift
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.300 BCE–350 CE main; earliest 300–200 BCE transition from Napata
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1200–600 BCE
Major use phase and refurbishment
20th century
Modern archaeological survey and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
16.9381° N · 33.7490° E · 360 m · 3 mapped features
Begarawiya North pyramid cluster
pyramid45 steep pyramids 8–30 m base on ridge
16.9381° N · 33.7490° EQueen Shanakdakheto chapel
chapelMeroitic queen pyramid with eastern chapel reliefs intact
16.9383° N · 33.7493° EDescendry shaft system
shaftEastern descendry to painted chamber under pyramid
16.9380° N · 33.7488° E