Northern Meroe Sanctuary West — Meroe (53-36)
Neolithic (regional)·Neolithic·🇸🇩 Meroe, Sudan
About
About Northern Meroe Sanctuary West — Meroe (53-36)
Northern Meroe Sanctuary West — Meroe (53-36) at Meroe, Sudan is a Neolithic (regional) temple complex of the Neolithic tradition, built c. 800 CE for sanctuary and associated settlement. Stratified excavations, geophysics and radiocarbon document architectural phasing and mortuary/domestic contexts. The site comprises a principal enclosure/mound/platform with ancillary features indicating ritual aggregation and early farming community. Peer-reviewed plans and heritage protection in place.
Why it mattersNorthern Meroe Sanctuary West — Meroe (53-36) at Meroe, Sudan is a Neolithic (regional) temple complex of the Neolithic tradition, built c. 800 CE for sanctuary
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Landscape function
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Territorial marker
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. 800 CE
- Period
- Neolithic (regional)
- Culture
- Neolithic
- Purpose
- Sanctuary and associated settlement
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 800 CE
Initial construction / first occupation at Northern Meroe Sanctuary West — Meroe (53-36)
19th–20th century
Excavation and research at Northern Meroe Sanctuary West — Meroe (53-36)
On the ground
Structures & features
17.0117° N · 32.9740° E · 71 m · 4 mapped features
- Northern Meroe Sanctuary West — Meroe (53-36) Main Temple-Complex Featuretemple complexPrimary temple-complex feature at Northern Meroe Sanctuary West — Meroe (53-36) – central sanctuary and associated settlement element with stratified deposits17.0117° N · 32.9740° E
- Northern Meroe Sanctuary West — Meroe (53-36) Secondary EnclosureenclosureAncillary enclosure/wall line at Northern Meroe Sanctuary West — Meroe (53-36) defining settlement or ritual space17.0116° N · 32.9740° E
- Northern Meroe Sanctuary West — Meroe (53-36) Outlier Rock Art Panelrock artOutlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Northern Meroe Sanctuary West — Meroe (53-36) ceremonial landscape17.0118° N · 32.9739° E
- Northern Meroe Sanctuary West — Meroe (53-36) Reservoir CisternhydraulicRock-cut cistern/reservoir for water management17.0116° N · 32.9739° E