Sudan’s War Threatens Meroe’s Pyramids

Sudan’s ongoing civil war is accelerating the deterioration of the Meroe pyramids, a UNESCO World Heritage Site comprising more than 200 ancient royal tombs built between 800 BC and 350 AD. Archaeologist Mahmoud Suleiman warned that the site could face collapse, as preservation work has come to a complete stop. Archaeologists and site workers say heavy sand accumulation is covering the pyramids and entering temples, while vegetation is spreading across the site. Salt released by the sand is collecting inside funerary temples and weakening fragile stone, potentially damaging ancient inscriptions. Experts attribute the crisis to a combination of climate change, workforce displacement caused by the conflict, and the inability of foreign archaeological missions to continue operating amid the security crisis. Sudan’s broader cultural heritage is also under threat: UNESCO said more than 100 cultural sites had been damaged and at least 22 museums looted or destroyed since fighting began in April 2023.