Sudan's pyramids, nearly as grand as Egypt's, go unvisited
The small, steep pyramids rising up from the desert hills of northern Sudan resemble those in neighboring Egypt, but unlike the famed pyramids of Giza, the Sudanese site is largely deserted.
Members of the Sudanese security forces guard the historic Meroe pyramids in al-Bagrawiya, 200 kilometers north of Khartoum, Sudan. The pyramids at Meroe are deserted despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site like those at Giza in Egypt [Credit: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy]Tour guides wait for tourists to offer them camel rides at the historic Meroe pyramids in al-Bagrawiya, 200 kilometers north of Khartoum, Sudan. The pyramids at Meroe are deserted despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site like those at Giza in Egypt [Credit: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy]The pyramids at Meroe, some 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of Sudan's capital, Khartoum, are rarely visited despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site like those in Egypt. Sanctions against the government of longtime President Omar al-Bashir over Sudan's long-running internal conflicts limit its access to foreign aid and donations, while also hampering tourism.
A general view of the historic Meroe pyramids site, in al-Bagrawiya, 200 kilometers north of Khartoum, Sudan. The steep, small pyramids rise over the desert hills, a stunning reminder of the ancient Nubian kingdom that once ruled Egypt and ones not nearly as often visited those of its neighbor [Credit: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy]A view of the historic Meroe pyramids in al-Bagrawiya, 200 kilometers north of Khartoum, Sudan. The site once served as the principle residence of the rulers of the Kush kingdom, known as the Black Pharaohs. Their pyramids, ranging from 6-meters to 30-meters tall, are some 4,600 years old [Credit: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy]The site, known as the Island of Meroe because an ancient, long-dried river ran around it, once served as the principle residence of the rulers of the Kush kingdom, known as the Black Pharaohs. Their pyramids, ranging from 6 meters (20 feet) to 30 meters (100 feet) tall, were built between 720 and 300 B.C. The entrances usually face east to greet the rising sun.
Hieroglyphics are pictured inside a room at the historic Meroe pyramids, a sign of the influence of ancient Egyptian civilization on the Sudanese Meroite kingdom, in al-Bagrawiya, 200 kilometers north of Khartoum, Sudan. The pyramids bear decorative elements from the cultures of Pharaonic Egypt, Greece and Rome, according to UNESCO, making them priceless relics [Credit: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy]Local tourists visit the Meroe pyramids in al-Bagrawiya, 200 kilometers north of Khartoum, Sudan. Sudan’s tourism industry has been devastated by a series of economic sanctions imposed over the country’s civil war and the conflict in Darfur [Credit: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy]The pyramids bear decorative elements inspired by Pharaonic Egypt, Greece and Rome, according to UNESCO, making them priceless relics. However, overeager archaeologists in the 19th century tore off the golden tips of some pyramids and reduced some to rubble, said Abdel-Rahman Omar, the head of the National Museum of Sudan in Khartoum.
Sudanese security guards walk next to one of the Meroe pyramids, in al-Bagrawiya, 200 kilometers north of Khartoum, Sudan. The site once served as the principle residence of the rulers of the Kush kingdom, known as the Black Pharaohs. Their pyramids, ranging from 6-meters to 30-meters tall, are some 4,600 years old [Credit: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy]Names of visitors are seen carved into the stones of one of the Meroe pyramids, in al-Bagrawiya, 200 kilometers north of Khartoum, Sudan. The pyramids at Meroe are deserted despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site like those at Giza in Egypt [Credit: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy]On a recent day, a few tourists and white camels roamed the site, watched by a handful of security guards. Sudan's tourism industry has been devastated by economic sanctions imposed over the conflicts in Darfur and other regions. Al-Bashir's government, which came to power following a bloodless Islamist coup in 1989, has struggled to care for its antiquities.
A view of the historic Meroe pyramids in al-Bagrawiya, 200 kilometers north of Khartoum, Sudan. The steep, small pyramids rise over the desert hills, a stunning reminder of the ancient Nubian kingdom that once ruled Egypt and ones not nearly as visited as those of its neighbor [Credit: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy]A Sudanese tour guide and a member of the security forces observes a temple at the Meroe pyramids site, in al-Bagrawiya, 200 kilometers north of Khartoum, Sudan. The pyramids at Meroe are deserted despite being a UNESCO World Heritage site like those at Giza in Egypt [Credit: AP/Mosa'ab Elshamy]Qatar has pledged $135 million to renovate and support Sudan's antiquities in the last few years. But Omar said Sudan still receives just 15,000 tourists per year.
Author: Maggie Michael | Source: The Associated Press [April 26, 2015]
