Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier
Meroitic (300 BCE-350 CE)·Meroitic·🇸🇩 River Nile, Meroe, Sudan
About
About Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier
Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier in River Nile, Meroe, Sudan is a Meroitic (300 BCE-350 CE) pyramid attributed to Meroitic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal necropolis 10 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 16.9275N 33.7665E controls access to River Nile, Meroe resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey pyramid for River Nile, Meroe, illustrating Meroitic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Scale of population vs agricultural catchment
- 02Ritual vs domestic use
Theories
- 01Ancestral burial reuse over centuries
- 02Astronomical alignment hypothesis
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. 100 BCE
- Period
- Meroitic (300 BCE-350 CE)
- Culture
- Meroitic
- Purpose
- Platform mound with ceremonial structure and burial
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 100 BCE
Initial construction of Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier main structure
c. 1443 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier
19th–20th century
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
16.9275° N · 33.7665° E · 377 m · 4 mapped features
Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier — Main Pyramid Feature
hydraulicPrimary hydraulic at Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits
16.9266° N · 33.7682° EMeroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier — Secondary Enclosure
necropolisAncillary necropolis at Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier — platform mound with stratified deposits
16.9260° N · 33.7674° EMeroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier — Outlier Rock Art Panel
templeOutlier temple panel linked to Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier ceremonial landscape
16.9292° N · 33.7670° EMeroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier — Hydraulic/Cistern Annex
chamberHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir at Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Eastern Outlier with plastered basin
16.9293° N · 33.7660° E