Sedeinga Pyramid ST1 (Napatan Queen)
Napatan to Early Meroitic, c.700–300 BCE·Kushite·🇸🇩 Northern State, Sedeinga, Sai region, Sudan
About
About Sedeinga Pyramid ST1 (Napatan Queen)
Napatan queen's pyramid ST1 in Sector II at Sedeinga (c.700–600 BCE), 13 m base, part of 200+ pyramid cemetery stretching 4 km. French SFDAS mission (Francigny & Rilly) excavated 2013-18 uncovering lintel with winged Isis and Meroitic stela. Severely robbed shaft with collapsed vault.
Why it mattersLargest Nubian queens cemetery outside Meroë; reveals Napatan matrilineal elite.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why Sedeinga queens separate from kings at Nuri/Kurru
Theories
- 01Sedeinga = queens' counterpart to kings' Barkal/Kurru
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.650 BCE
- Period
- Napatan to Early Meroitic, c.700–300 BCE
- Culture
- Kushite
- Purpose
- Elite / queens tomb — high-status female burial in queens cemetery
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.650 BCE
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
20.3785° N · 30.3285° E · 220 m · 2 mapped features
Pyramid ST1 shaft and lintel
shaftShaft with sandstone lintel of winged goddess and offering formula
20.3786° N · 30.3284° ESector II chapel row alignment
chapelChapel alignment along east axis of necropolis avenue
20.3784° N · 30.3286° E