Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Western Terrace
Meroitic (300 BCE-350 CE)·Meroitic·🇸🇩 River Nile, Meroe, Sudan
About
About Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Western Terrace
Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Western Terrace 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 5 × 3 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 16.9189N 33.7437E 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
- 01Construction labor organization
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
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
- Partially excavated
c. 100 BCE
Initial construction of Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Western Terrace main structure
c. 837 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Western Terrace
1967–2016
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Western Terrace) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
16.9189° N · 33.7437° E · 371 m · 3 mapped features
Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Western Terrace — Main Pyramid Feature
necropolisPrimary necropolis at Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Western Terrace — rock-cut facade with stratified deposits
16.9199° N · 33.7451° EMeroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Western Terrace — Secondary Enclosure
templeAncillary temple at Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Western Terrace — burial gallery with stratified deposits
16.9173° N · 33.7453° EMeroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Western Terrace — Outlier Rock Art Panel
chamberOutlier chamber panel linked to Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Western Terrace ceremonial landscape
16.9196° N · 33.7428° E