El-Kurru Pyramid Ku.1 (King Piye / Piankhy)
Napatan founding, c.750 BCE·Kushite Napatan·🇸🇩 Northern State, El-Kurru, Napata, Sudan
About
About El-Kurru Pyramid Ku.1 (King Piye / Piankhy)
Founder's pyramid Ku.1 at El-Kurru for King Piye/Piankhy (c.747–716 BCE, founder of 25th Dynasty who conquered Egypt). 34.5 m base, 25 m height, expanded from tumulus (Tum.1) with revetment, earliest pyramid at cemetery. Reisner 1918 found Adze burial, horse burials (24 horses) and alabaster canopic jars. UNESCO Napatan 1073.
Why it mattersConversion of Libyan tumulus to Egyptian pyramid = origin of Nubian pyramid tradition.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Exact Piye burial spot vs Ku.17 debate (Ku.1 is largest tumulus)
Theories
- 01Piye deliberately archaises Middle Kingdom Thebes
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.747 BCE, early Piye reign
- Period
- Napatan founding, c.750 BCE
- Culture
- Kushite Napatan
- Builders
- Kushite (Piye)
- Purpose
- Founder royal tomb — Piye founder of Kushite Egypt
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.747 BCE, early Piye reign
Initial construction / foundation
c.500 CE
Major refurbishment / enlargement phase
c.1100 CE
Abandonment or conversion
1890–1930
Modern rediscovery and first scientific survey
On the ground
Structures & features
18.4095° N · 31.7709° E · 250 m · 2 mapped features
Horse burial pits (24 horses, trappings)
burialParallel pits east of pyramid with 24 horses in standing posture with trappings
18.4096° N · 31.7711° EVaulted chamber and canopic niche
chamberStair to chamber with alabaster canopic jars of Piye
18.4094° N · 31.7709° E