Meroë Facts for Kids

Meroë is a site in Sudan. Many pyramids are there, but most are now ruins. The city shows the greatness of kings from long ago, who are buried in these pyramids.

Meroë (pronounced Mer-oh-ee) was an important ancient city. Today, you can find its remains on the east side of the Nile River in Sudan. It's about 6 kilometers (about 4 miles) northeast of Kabushiya station, near a town called Shendi. Meroë is also about 200 kilometers (about 124 miles) northeast of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.

Some small villages are close to the old city. They are known as Bagrawiyah.

Meroë was the capital city of the Kingdom of Kush for many hundreds of years. The Kingdom of Kush was a powerful ancient African kingdom. The city of Meroë gave its name to a whole region called the "Island of Meroë." This area was known as Butana in modern times. It was surrounded by the Nile River, the Atbarah River, and the Blue Nile.

Meroë was located at the edge of the Butana region. Two other important Meroitic cities, Musawwarat es-Sufra and Naqa, were also in Butana.

What Can You See at Meroë?

The site of Meroë is famous for its many pyramids. There are over two hundred pyramids, grouped into three main areas. Sadly, many of these pyramids are now just ruins. They show us how grand the city once was.

Images for kids

The Near East in 200 BC, showing the Kingdom of Meroe and its neighbors.
The "Archer King," an unknown king of Meroe from the 3rd century BC. This is at the National Museum of Sudan.
A carving of Queen Amanitore, from around 50 AD.
A lamp with a handle shaped like a horse. It was found in the pyramid of Queen Amanikhatashan in Meroë (around 62-85 AD). Now at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
A necklace from Meroë, dating from 50–320 AD. Also at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
An example of the Meroitic writing system.
A stamp or thumb ring with three oval shapes (cartouches). Each has two feathers and a sun disk on top. It's made of faience and comes from Meroe, from the Meroitic period. Now at the Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology.
A map of the North pyramid field at Meroë.
A recent satellite view of the Meroe region (October 2020).
Karkamani's pyramid (513-503 BC), located in Nuri.
Jewelry found on the mummy of Nubian King Amaninatakilebte (538-519 BC). At the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
A stone slab (stela) of king Siaspiqa (487–468 BC).
A portrait of King Nastasen (330-310 BC).
The Pyramids of Meroë in the Northern Cemetery.
Queen Shanakdakhete (170-150 BC).
A necklace with 54 gold pendants shaped like human heads and ram's heads. Small red beads are placed between them. From the Meroitic Period, 270-50 BC.
A golden bracelet found in the tomb of a royal family member in Gebel Barkal. From 250-100 BC.
King Natakamani (early 1st century AD).
A column and an elephant statue, part of a temple complex in Musawwarat es-Sufra.
The Roman Kiosk and Apedemak Temple in Naqa.
A line of ram statues in front of the Amun-Ra temple in Naqa.

Meroë facts for kids

What Can You See at Meroë?

Images for kids

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