Meroë

Meroë is an ancient city in the region of Nubia, on the east bank of the Nile in present-day Sudan. It became the capital of the Kingdom of Kush after the decline of Napata, roughly from the 3rd century BCE to the 4th century CE, and remained a major political and economic center for several centuries. The site lies near the modern town of Shendi and includes the royal necropolis and industrial districts that supported its urban life.

The city is renowned for its distinctive architecture and urban planning, including a large necropolis with hundreds of pyramids that served as royal and elite tombs. In addition to monumental tombs, Meroë hosted temples, workshops, and evidence of iron production, mining, and craft industries that fueled Kushite power and trade. The pyramids of Meroë are notably slender with steeply angled sides, reflecting a local architectural tradition separate from the Egyptian style.

Meroë is also important for its written record. The Meroitic script, developed in the city around the 2nd century BCE, was used for inscriptions and religious and administrative texts. The language of Meroitic remains only partially deciphered, giving scholars crucial but incomplete insights into Kushite society, religion, and daily life.

The decline of Meroë began in the 4th century CE, likely due to a combination of climate change, shifting trade routes, and political transformation in the region. The city was eventually abandoned, and its monuments fell into ruin. In modern times, Meroë has been the subject of extensive archaeological research and is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its exceptional evidence of Kushite civilization and its contributions to Africa’s ancient history.