Kush: The African kingdom that built more pyramids than Egypt

When we think of pyramids, we think of Egypt. Yet, it is in Sudan, in the Nile Valley, that more pyramids are found than in all of Egypt combined. They are the work of the Kingdom of Kush, an African civilization that long remained in the shadow of its northern neighbor.

Kushite kings who ruled Egypt

South of Egypt, in the region known as Nubia, the Kingdom of Kush developed. Around 730 BCE, King Piye, setting out from Napata, conquered Egypt and became the first pharaoh of the 25th Dynasty. Kushite kings would go on to rule Egypt until approximately 656 BCE. They are sometimes referred to as the "Black Pharaohs."

Meroë, the city of pyramids

Later, Meroë became the new capital of the kingdom, starting from the 6th century BCE, and above all, its royal necropolis. More than 200 pyramids were built there for kings and queens. The tombs in the northern cemetery date from between approximately 250 BCE and 320 CE. Meroë has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011.

Pyramids different from those in Egypt

Kushite pyramids are not mere copies. They are significantly smaller: ranging from about 6 to 30 meters high, compared to about 139 meters for the Great Pyramid of Giza. Their slopes are also much steeper, around 70 degrees. They generally do not have a pyramidion, the capstone that tops Egyptian pyramids. Their shape is more reminiscent of the small funerary chapel pyramids of the Egyptian New Kingdom, such as those at Deir el-Medina.

Key takeaways

Kush reminds us that the Nile Valley is not limited to Egypt. An African kingdom ruled Egypt, built its own pyramids, and developed its own identity for centuries.