Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Northern Annex
Meroitic (300 BCE-350 CE)·Meroitic·🇸🇩 River Nile, Meroe, Sudan
About
About Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Northern Annex
Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Northern Annex in River Nile, Meroe, Sudan is a Meroitic (300 BCE-350 CE) pyramid attributed to Meroitic. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal chamber 3 × 2 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 16.9316N 33.7651E controls access to River Nile, Meroe resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey pyramid for River Nile, Meroe, illustrating Meroitic construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Tribal capital and ritual aggregation
- 02Seasonal gathering locus
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. 100 BCE
- Period
- Meroitic (300 BCE-350 CE)
- Culture
- Meroitic
- Purpose
- Platform mound with ceremonial structure and burial
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 100 BCE
Initial construction of Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Northern Annex main structure
c. 1326 BCE
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically at Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Northern Annex
1981–2017
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Northern Annex) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
16.9316° N · 33.7651° E · 352 m · 3 mapped features
Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Northern Annex — Main Pyramid Feature
enclosurePrimary enclosure at Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Northern Annex — enclosure wall with stratified deposits
16.9322° N · 33.7652° EMeroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Northern Annex — Secondary Enclosure
rock artAncillary rock art at Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Northern Annex — enclosure wall with stratified deposits
16.9318° N · 33.7642° EMeroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Northern Annex — Outlier Rock Art Panel
hydraulicOutlier hydraulic panel linked to Meroe North Pyramid Field N12 Annex — Northern Annex ceremonial landscape
16.9327° N · 33.7632° E