Archaeological Sites

1.Old Suakin

Located on the western shore of the Red Sea between Massawa and Port Sudan, Suakin is the ancient port of Sudan. Its history dates back to the Pharaonic eras, spanning through all historical periods.

The architecture in Suakin was so distinctive that Hodeidah and Jeddah were considered extensions of it, as engineers and builders were brought in from the land of Hijaz.

Today, Suakin consists of archaeological ruins that point to the grandeur of the city that once was.

2. Al-Bajrawiya

It is the capital of the ancient Kingdom of Meroe and includes:

• The Royal City: The site of ancient Meroe since the 4th century BC. The city includes several temples, such as the Temple of Amun and the Temple of Emperor Augustus, among other buildings, as well as the Roman Bath. The city was a center for the iron industry, leading historians to call it the "Birmingham of Africa."
• The Eastern Pyramids: Located four kilometers east of the Royal City, these are the tombs of the kings and queens of the Kingdom of Meroe.
• The Western Pyramids: Located between the Royal City and the Eastern Pyramids, these are small-scale pyramids for royal courtiers and ministers. The remains of the Sun Temple are also located here.

3. Wad Ban Naqa

Located 127 km north of Khartoum. The site represents the remains of a Meroitic city and a palace made of mud-brick, constructed with the participation of several kings and queens of the Kingdom of Meroe and renovated in the 4th century BC.

4.Musawwarat el-Sufra

Located 10 km north of Naqa. The site was likely a religious center and contains the Temple of the god Apedemak and a complex of buildings known as the "Great Yard " (Al-Hosh al-Kabir), which includes temples, palaces, and structures of unidentified functions, all within a single wall. The site dates back to the Meroitic civilization.

5. Kerma

Located east of the city of Dongola on the eastern bank of the Nile, about 501 km north of Dongola. The site represents the ancient city of Kerma which is  the first and greatest civilization in Africa (2500–1500 BC).

The site is characterized by two massive mud-brick structures known as the Western Deffufa and the Eastern Deffufa, built over different periods starting from the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2660–2080 BC).

 Kerma played a major political and commercial role and formed a unique civilization.

6.Naqa

Located about 45 km east of Wad Ban Naqa. It is considered one of the centers of the Meroitic civilization and contains multiple temples, most notably the Temple of Apedemak, the Temple of Amun, and another for Khonsu, in addition to the Roman Kiosk.

7. Jebel Barkal

One of the most famous archaeological sites in Sudan, dating back to the Napatan period and believed to have been the religious capital. Located near the city of Karima, it was considered the seat of the worship of the god Amun. It includes temples for various deities built in the Pharaonic style, the most famous being the Temple of Amun, alongside the Temple of Mut, part of which is carved into the mountain.

8. El-Kurru

Located on the eastern bank of the Nile, 15 km from the city of Karima. The site includes the tombs of the kings of the Kingdom of Napata (713–332 BC), including the tomb of King Tanutamun, famous for its walls decorated with colorful scenes representing life in the hereafter.

9. Nuri

One of the most important archaeological sites, it includes the pyramids of the kings of the Kingdom of Napata, featuring 32 pyramids for the kings and queens of that period. The most famous is the pyramid of King Taharqa.

10. Sanam Abu Dom

Located near the modern city of Merowe on the bank opposite the city of Karima. The site includes a temple dedicated to the god Amun, built in the style found in "Kawa."

11. Ghazali

 Located 11 km into the desert from modern Merowe on the left bank of Khor Abu Dom. It contains the remains of a Christian monastery dating back to the Christian era.

12. Old Dongola

 The capital of the Christian Kingdom of Makuria, located on the eastern bank of the Nile, 130 km south of Dongola. The site contains the remains of churches dating from the Christian period between the 7th and 14th centuries AD.

13. Sesebi

 Located on the western bank of the Nile opposite Delgo, 180 miles south of Wadi Halfa. The site contains ruins dating back to the New Kingdom of Egypt.

14. Sedeinga

 Located 205 km from Wadi Halfa on the western bank of the Nile. It contains ruins from the New Kingdom of Egypt, including a temple built by King Amenhotep III in honor of his wife, Queen Tiye.

15. Soleb

Located on the western bank of the Nile, south of Sedeinga and 221 km south of Wadi Halfa. The site features a temple from the New Kingdom of Egypt and tombs from various periods.

16. Kawa

 Located on the eastern bank of the Nile opposite the modern city of Dongola. The site includes a temple built during the New Kingdom of Egypt, to which King Taharqa made several additions.

17. Sai Island

Located 205 km south of Wadi Halfa. It contains remains dating back to the Stone Age, as well as temples and palaces from the New Kingdom of Egypt.