Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure and Lion Temple

Why it mattersKey Meroitic (Arnekhamani, Amanitore) with elephant training centre temple-complex with stratified sequence and regional typology.

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

Built

c. 230 BCE Lion Temple; Great Enclosure 200 BCE

Period

Meroitic (300 BCE–300 CE Great Enclosure; Lion Temple 230 BCE Arnekhamani)

Culture

Meroitic (Arnekhamani, Amanitore) with elephant training centre

Purpose

Great Enclosure (500 m walls, 20 temples) with Lion Temple of Apedemak and elephant pens — Meroitic pilgrimage/elephant training centre

Rediscovered

Modern excavation 1929

Excavation

Excavated

1. 1950 excavation

   Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure and Lion Temple

2. c. 230 BCE Lion Temple; Great Enclosure 200 BCE

   Initial construction / first occupation at Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure and Lion Temple

3. c. 400 BCE major extension

   Major expansion / refurbishment at Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure and Lion Temple

• Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure and Lion Temple — Principal Temple

  temple

  temple at Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure and Lion Temple — primary structure

  16.4233° N · 33.3272° E

• Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure and Lion Temple — Northern Altar

  altar

  altar at Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure and Lion Temple — subsidiary complex

  16.4236° N · 33.3257° E

• Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure and Lion Temple — Shrine Annex 3

  shrine

  shrine at Musawwarat es-Sufra — Great Enclosure and Lion Temple — subsidiary complex

  16.4270° N · 33.3240° E