16 pyramids discovered in Sudan cemetery

Photograph showing some of the other pyramids built by the Kushites. Image Credit: CC BY 2.0 Retlaw Snellac.

Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of more than a dozen small pyramids near the town of Gematon.

While not as spectacular as the pyramids built in Egypt, these 16 smaller pyramids date back around 2,000 years to a time when Sudan was home to the prosperous kingdom of Kush.

The largest of the pyramids originally measured 10.6 meters across and stood 13 meters high.

The construction of pyramids in relation to the burial of the deceased was quite a common activity among the Kushites all the way up until the fourth century AD. It wasn't just the super wealthy who could afford them either - some of the more modest pyramids were built for the working classes.

Some were barely pyramids at all and consisted mainly of rocks piled up on top of one another.

Archaeologists excavating the site discovered one tomb containing an offering table with depictions of a priest or prince offering incense to the god Osiris, the ruler of the underworld.

The only other treasure found at the site was a collection of 100 faience beads found beneath an intact pyramid which appeared to have been used to mark the resting place of three infants.

It is likely that grave robbers would have long made off with anything else of value.

Source: (The Discovery.com)