The ongoing conflict in Sudan, combined with heavy sand accumulation, is severely threatening the structural integrity of the ancient Meroe pyramids. Preservation efforts at the UNESCO World Heritage Site have ground to a complete halt, prompting archaeologist Mahmoud Suleiman to warn that the site may face a disaster and collapses are possible.
Located approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of the capital, Khartoum, Meroe features more than 200 pyramids built between 800 B.C. and 350 A.D. These structures served as royal tombs for the rulers of the Kingdom of Kush. Now, the unique and angular architecture is in jeopardy.
Mustafa Ahmed, a guard at the site, described navigating thick sand dunes that have accumulated heavily on the pyramids and inside the temples. He noted that the pyramids have deteriorated significantly, with stones already beginning to fall, while thick grass grows unchecked across the site.
The threat is not only physical but chemical. Antiquities inspector Mohamed Mubarak explained that salt released from the accumulated sand has gathered inside the funerary temples. This salt is actively degrading the inherently fragile stones, creating a severe risk of erosion for the ancient inscriptions.
Suleiman attributed the rapid deterioration to a combination of climate change, the dispersal of the preservation workforce due to the war, and the extreme difficulty foreign missions face in continuing their work amid the country's security instability.
Sudan's devastating war, which began in April 2023, has taken a heavy toll on the nation's historical heritage. According to a warning issued by UNESCO in April, cultural and historical sites are under growing threat, with over 100 cultural sites damaged and at least 22 museums looted or destroyed since the conflict erupted.
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Md. Kazi Bijoy is a dedicated tech enthusiast and content creator with a passion for digital innovation. With years of experience in the tech industry, he specializes in breaking down complex topics into easy-to-understand guides. When he isn’t writing, he explores the latest gadgets and researches emerging trends in the digital world.