El-Kurru
Encyclopedia
El-Kurru was one of the royal cemeteries used by the Nubia
n royal family. Reisner excavated the royal pyramids. Most of the pyramids date to the early part of the Kushite period, from Alara of Nubia
to King Nastasen
(beginning of the third century BCE).
The area is divided in to three parts by two wadi
s. The central section seems to be the oldest and contains several tumulus
type tombs that predate the Kingdom of Napata
. Reisner thought that the earliest tomb, Tum.1, dated back to the time of Pharaoh Sheshonq I of Ancient Egypt
(ca. 850 BCE) and predates the Kingdom of Napata by some 200 years. At the present scholars (Kendall, Hakem, Totok) think the early cemetery stretches back to the Ramesside period and date the earliest burials to the end of the Twentieth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt
(ca 1070 BCE), although Kendall has reverted his position and now adheres to a dating closer to the one proposed by Reisner.
The highest part of the cemetery contains 4 tumulus tomb (Tum.1,2,4 and 5). To the north, across the northern wadi Tum.6 is located. To the east of the tumul tombs we find row of at least eight pyramids. One of them partially intrudes on a tumuls tomb (Tum.19). The southern most of this row of pyramids belonging to Kashta
(presumably to) his wife Pebatjma
. Before this row is another row of pyramids which includes those of Piye
, Shabaka
and Tanutamani.
To the south of the pyramid of Pebatjma
one has to cross the southern wadi to reach the southern pyramids. These are the pyramids of the Queens: Naparaye
(K.3), Khensa
(K.4), Qalhata
(K.5), and Arty
(K.6).
Pyramids dating to the time of the Kingdom of Napata
(ca 750 - 650 BCE) and later
, the tombs in the second row date to the time of Shabaka
, the tombs in the third row date to the time of Shebitqo, and the tombs in the fourth and last row date to the time of Tantamani
.
The tombs had all been robbed, but enough remained to determined that the horses were all buried in an upright position. The horses were buried with all their trappings.
Nubia
Nubia is a region along the Nile river, which is located in northern Sudan and southern Egypt.There were a number of small Nubian kingdoms throughout the Middle Ages, the last of which collapsed in 1504, when Nubia became divided between Egypt and the Sennar sultanate resulting in the Arabization...
n royal family. Reisner excavated the royal pyramids. Most of the pyramids date to the early part of the Kushite period, from Alara of Nubia
Alara of Nubia
Alara was a King of Kush who is generally regarded as the founder of the Napatan royal dynasty by his 25th Dynasty Nubian successors and was the first recorded prince of Nubia. He unified all of Upper Nubia from Meroë to the Third Cataract and is possibly attested at the Temple of Amun at Kawa....
to King Nastasen
Nastasen
Nastasen was a king of the North African Nubian civilisation of Kush . According to a stela from Dongola his mother was named Queen Pelkha and his father may have been King Harsiotef. His successor was Aryamani.-Monuments:...
(beginning of the third century BCE).
The area is divided in to three parts by two wadi
Wadi
Wadi is the Arabic term traditionally referring to a valley. In some cases, it may refer to a dry riverbed that contains water only during times of heavy rain or simply an intermittent stream.-Variant names:...
s. The central section seems to be the oldest and contains several tumulus
Tumulus
A tumulus is a mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, Hügelgrab or kurgans, and can be found throughout much of the world. A tumulus composed largely or entirely of stones is usually referred to as a cairn...
type tombs that predate the Kingdom of Napata
Napata
Napata was a city-state of ancient Nubia on the west bank of the Nile River, at the site of modern Karima, Northern Sudan.During the 8th to 7th centuries BC, Napata was the capital of the Nubian kingdom of Kush, whence the 25th, or Nubian Dynasty conquered Egypt...
. Reisner thought that the earliest tomb, Tum.1, dated back to the time of Pharaoh Sheshonq I of Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
(ca. 850 BCE) and predates the Kingdom of Napata by some 200 years. At the present scholars (Kendall, Hakem, Totok) think the early cemetery stretches back to the Ramesside period and date the earliest burials to the end of the Twentieth Dynasty of Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
(ca 1070 BCE), although Kendall has reverted his position and now adheres to a dating closer to the one proposed by Reisner.
The highest part of the cemetery contains 4 tumulus tomb (Tum.1,2,4 and 5). To the north, across the northern wadi Tum.6 is located. To the east of the tumul tombs we find row of at least eight pyramids. One of them partially intrudes on a tumuls tomb (Tum.19). The southern most of this row of pyramids belonging to Kashta
Kashta
Kashta was a king of the Kushite Dynasty and the successor of Alara. His name translates literally as "The Kushite".-Family:Kashta is thought to be a brother of his predecessor Alara. Both Alara and Kashta were thought to have married their sisters...
(presumably to) his wife Pebatjma
Pebatjma
Pebatjma was a Nubiaqueen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt. She was the wife of King Kashta. She is mentioned on a statue of her daughter Amenirdis I, now in Cairo . She is also mentioned on a door-jamb from Abydos.-Family:...
. Before this row is another row of pyramids which includes those of Piye
Piye
Piye, was a Kushite king and founder of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled Egypt from 747 BCE to 716 BCE according to Peter Clayton. He ruled from the city of Napata, located deep in Nubia, Sudan...
, Shabaka
Shabaka
Shabaka or Shabaka Neferkare, 'Beautiful is the Soul of Re', was a Kushite pharaoh of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt, between according to Peter Clayton .-Family:...
and Tanutamani.
To the south of the pyramid of Pebatjma
Pebatjma
Pebatjma was a Nubiaqueen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt. She was the wife of King Kashta. She is mentioned on a statue of her daughter Amenirdis I, now in Cairo . She is also mentioned on a door-jamb from Abydos.-Family:...
one has to cross the southern wadi to reach the southern pyramids. These are the pyramids of the Queens: Naparaye
Naparaye
Naparaye was a Nubian queen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt.Naparaye was the daughter of King Piye and the sister-wife of King Taharqa....
(K.3), Khensa
Khensa
Khensa was a Nubian queen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt.Khensa is named as a King's Wife and King's Sister together with King Piye...
(K.4), Qalhata
Qalhata
Qalhata was a Nubian queen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt.Qalhata was a daughter of King Piye and a queen consort to her brother Shabaka. She is known from the Dream Stela of King Tantamani and from her pyramid in El-Kurru ....
(K.5), and Arty
Arty
Arty is an independent British art fanzine started by the artist Cathy Lomax in 2001. Arty is for art fans written by artists themselves and published by Transition Gallery's editions department, the artist-run space in East London.-History:...
(K.6).
Pyramids and Tombs at El-Kurru
- Tum.1, the oldest tomb at El-Kurru.
- Tum.2, the tomb contained a female skull.
- Tum.4
- Tum.5
- Tum.6, tomb located to the north of Tum.1, across the northern wadi.
- Tum.19, located to the east of the cluster of tumulus tombs. Pyramid K.13 partly obliterated a section of this tomb.
Pyramids dating to the time of the Kingdom of Napata
Napata
Napata was a city-state of ancient Nubia on the west bank of the Nile River, at the site of modern Karima, Northern Sudan.During the 8th to 7th centuries BC, Napata was the capital of the Nubian kingdom of Kush, whence the 25th, or Nubian Dynasty conquered Egypt...
(ca 750 - 650 BCE) and later
- K.1 Unknown King. One of the largest pyramids. Located just south and adjacent to the pyramid of PiyePiyePiye, was a Kushite king and founder of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled Egypt from 747 BCE to 716 BCE according to Peter Clayton. He ruled from the city of Napata, located deep in Nubia, Sudan...
(K.17) Dated to ca 362-342 BCE (after HarsiotefHarsiotefHarsiotef was a Kushite King of Meroe .Harsiotef took on a full set of titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Kanakht Khaemnepet...
, before AkhratenAkhratenAkhraten was a King of Kush .Akhraten took on at least some titles based on those used by the Egyptian Pharaohs....
). - K.2
- K.3 - Queen NaparayeNaparayeNaparaye was a Nubian queen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt.Naparaye was the daughter of King Piye and the sister-wife of King Taharqa....
, daughter of PiyePiyePiye, was a Kushite king and founder of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled Egypt from 747 BCE to 716 BCE according to Peter Clayton. He ruled from the city of Napata, located deep in Nubia, Sudan...
, Sister-Wife of TaharqaTaharqaTaharqa was a pharaoh of the Ancient Egyptian 25th dynasty and king of the Kingdom of Kush, which was located in Northern Sudan.Taharqa was the son of Piye, the Nubian king of Napata who had first conquered Egypt. Taharqa was also the cousin and successor of Shebitku. The successful campaigns of... - K.4 - Queen KhensaKhensaKhensa was a Nubian queen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt.Khensa is named as a King's Wife and King's Sister together with King Piye...
, daughter of KashtaKashtaKashta was a king of the Kushite Dynasty and the successor of Alara. His name translates literally as "The Kushite".-Family:Kashta is thought to be a brother of his predecessor Alara. Both Alara and Kashta were thought to have married their sisters...
, Sister-Wife of PiyePiyePiye, was a Kushite king and founder of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled Egypt from 747 BCE to 716 BCE according to Peter Clayton. He ruled from the city of Napata, located deep in Nubia, Sudan... - K.5 - Queen QalhataQalhataQalhata was a Nubian queen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt.Qalhata was a daughter of King Piye and a queen consort to her brother Shabaka. She is known from the Dream Stela of King Tantamani and from her pyramid in El-Kurru ....
, Wife of ShebitkuShebitkuShebitku was the third king of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled from 702 BCE to 690 BCE according to Peter Clayton or 707/706 BC-690 BC, according to Dan'el Kahn's most recent academic research. He was the nephew and successor of Shabaka. He was a son of Piye, the founder of this dynasty...
, mother of TantamaniTantamaniTantamani or Tanwetamani or Tementhes was a Pharaoh of Egypt and the Kingdom of Kush located in Northern Sudan and a member of the Nubian or Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt... - K.6 - Queen ArtyArtyArty is an independent British art fanzine started by the artist Cathy Lomax in 2001. Arty is for art fans written by artists themselves and published by Transition Gallery's editions department, the artist-run space in East London.-History:...
, daughter of PiyePiyePiye, was a Kushite king and founder of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled Egypt from 747 BCE to 716 BCE according to Peter Clayton. He ruled from the city of Napata, located deep in Nubia, Sudan...
and sister-wife of ShebitkuShebitkuShebitku was the third king of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled from 702 BCE to 690 BCE according to Peter Clayton or 707/706 BC-690 BC, according to Dan'el Kahn's most recent academic research. He was the nephew and successor of Shabaka. He was a son of Piye, the founder of this dynasty... - K.7 - Possibly Queen Pebatma, Wife of KashtaKashtaKashta was a king of the Kushite Dynasty and the successor of Alara. His name translates literally as "The Kushite".-Family:Kashta is thought to be a brother of his predecessor Alara. Both Alara and Kashta were thought to have married their sisters...
. Located next to the pyramid of KashtaKashtaKashta was a king of the Kushite Dynasty and the successor of Alara. His name translates literally as "The Kushite".-Family:Kashta is thought to be a brother of his predecessor Alara. Both Alara and Kashta were thought to have married their sisters...
(K.8) - K.8 - King KashtaKashtaKashta was a king of the Kushite Dynasty and the successor of Alara. His name translates literally as "The Kushite".-Family:Kashta is thought to be a brother of his predecessor Alara. Both Alara and Kashta were thought to have married their sisters...
, father of PiyePiyePiye, was a Kushite king and founder of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled Egypt from 747 BCE to 716 BCE according to Peter Clayton. He ruled from the city of Napata, located deep in Nubia, Sudan... - K.9 - Possibly King Alara of NubiaAlara of NubiaAlara was a King of Kush who is generally regarded as the founder of the Napatan royal dynasty by his 25th Dynasty Nubian successors and was the first recorded prince of Nubia. He unified all of Upper Nubia from Meroë to the Third Cataract and is possibly attested at the Temple of Amun at Kawa....
- K.10
- K.11, the pyramid contained a female skull.
- K.13
- K.14
- K.15 - King ShabakaShabakaShabaka or Shabaka Neferkare, 'Beautiful is the Soul of Re', was a Kushite pharaoh of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt, between according to Peter Clayton .-Family:...
, son of KashtaKashtaKashta was a king of the Kushite Dynasty and the successor of Alara. His name translates literally as "The Kushite".-Family:Kashta is thought to be a brother of his predecessor Alara. Both Alara and Kashta were thought to have married their sisters...
, brother of PiyePiyePiye, was a Kushite king and founder of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled Egypt from 747 BCE to 716 BCE according to Peter Clayton. He ruled from the city of Napata, located deep in Nubia, Sudan... - K.16 - King TantamaniTantamaniTantamani or Tanwetamani or Tementhes was a Pharaoh of Egypt and the Kingdom of Kush located in Northern Sudan and a member of the Nubian or Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt...
, son of ShebitkuShebitkuShebitku was the third king of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled from 702 BCE to 690 BCE according to Peter Clayton or 707/706 BC-690 BC, according to Dan'el Kahn's most recent academic research. He was the nephew and successor of Shabaka. He was a son of Piye, the founder of this dynasty...
and Queen QalhataQalhataQalhata was a Nubian queen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt.Qalhata was a daughter of King Piye and a queen consort to her brother Shabaka. She is known from the Dream Stela of King Tantamani and from her pyramid in El-Kurru .... - K.17 - King PiyePiyePiye, was a Kushite king and founder of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled Egypt from 747 BCE to 716 BCE according to Peter Clayton. He ruled from the city of Napata, located deep in Nubia, Sudan...
, son of KashtaKashtaKashta was a king of the Kushite Dynasty and the successor of Alara. His name translates literally as "The Kushite".-Family:Kashta is thought to be a brother of his predecessor Alara. Both Alara and Kashta were thought to have married their sisters... - K.18 - King ShebitkuShebitkuShebitku was the third king of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled from 702 BCE to 690 BCE according to Peter Clayton or 707/706 BC-690 BC, according to Dan'el Kahn's most recent academic research. He was the nephew and successor of Shabaka. He was a son of Piye, the founder of this dynasty...
, son of PiyePiyePiye, was a Kushite king and founder of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled Egypt from 747 BCE to 716 BCE according to Peter Clayton. He ruled from the city of Napata, located deep in Nubia, Sudan...
. Located west of the pyramid of KashtaKashtaKashta was a king of the Kushite Dynasty and the successor of Alara. His name translates literally as "The Kushite".-Family:Kashta is thought to be a brother of his predecessor Alara. Both Alara and Kashta were thought to have married their sisters...
and south of the tumulus tombs. The pyramid still contained a human skull which may have belonged to Shebitku himself. - K.21
- K.23, pyramid next to King KashtaKashtaKashta was a king of the Kushite Dynasty and the successor of Alara. His name translates literally as "The Kushite".-Family:Kashta is thought to be a brother of his predecessor Alara. Both Alara and Kashta were thought to have married their sisters...
(K.8) - K.52 - Queen Nefrukekashta, Wife of PiyePiyePiye, was a Kushite king and founder of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled Egypt from 747 BCE to 716 BCE according to Peter Clayton. He ruled from the city of Napata, located deep in Nubia, Sudan...
- K.53 - Queen TabiryTabiryTabiry was a Nubian queen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt.Tabiry was the daughter of Alara of Nubia and his wife Kasaqa and the wife of King Piye...
, daughter of Alara of NubiaAlara of NubiaAlara was a King of Kush who is generally regarded as the founder of the Napatan royal dynasty by his 25th Dynasty Nubian successors and was the first recorded prince of Nubia. He unified all of Upper Nubia from Meroë to the Third Cataract and is possibly attested at the Temple of Amun at Kawa....
, wife of PiyePiyePiye, was a Kushite king and founder of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled Egypt from 747 BCE to 716 BCE according to Peter Clayton. He ruled from the city of Napata, located deep in Nubia, Sudan... - K.54 - Possibly PeksaterPeksaterPeksater was a Nubian queen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt.-Biography:Peksater was the daughter of King Kashta and Queen Pebatjma. She appears with her husband Piye in a relief in the Amun Temple at Barkal. Piye is dressed as a high priest and officiates before the barque of Amun...
, daughter of KashtaKashtaKashta was a king of the Kushite Dynasty and the successor of Alara. His name translates literally as "The Kushite".-Family:Kashta is thought to be a brother of his predecessor Alara. Both Alara and Kashta were thought to have married their sisters...
, wife of PiyePiyePiye, was a Kushite king and founder of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled Egypt from 747 BCE to 716 BCE according to Peter Clayton. He ruled from the city of Napata, located deep in Nubia, Sudan...
Horse Burials
Some 120 meters to the north-west of pyramids K.51-K.55 four rows of graves were found which contained horse burials. The rows contained four, eight, eight and four graves respectively. The four graves in the forst row likely date to the time of PiyePiye
Piye, was a Kushite king and founder of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt who ruled Egypt from 747 BCE to 716 BCE according to Peter Clayton. He ruled from the city of Napata, located deep in Nubia, Sudan...
, the tombs in the second row date to the time of Shabaka
Shabaka
Shabaka or Shabaka Neferkare, 'Beautiful is the Soul of Re', was a Kushite pharaoh of the Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt, between according to Peter Clayton .-Family:...
, the tombs in the third row date to the time of Shebitqo, and the tombs in the fourth and last row date to the time of Tantamani
Tantamani
Tantamani or Tanwetamani or Tementhes was a Pharaoh of Egypt and the Kingdom of Kush located in Northern Sudan and a member of the Nubian or Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt...
.
The tombs had all been robbed, but enough remained to determined that the horses were all buried in an upright position. The horses were buried with all their trappings.
Royal Cemeteries
For other royal cemeteries see- NuriNuriNuri is a place in modern Sudan on the south side of the Nile. Close to it, there are pyramids belonging to Nubian kings. Nuri is situated about 15 km north of Sanam, and 10 km from Jebel Barkal. All these remains belonged to the ancient city Napata, the first capital of the Nubian kingdom of...
- Gebel Barkal Royal CemeteryJebel BarkalJebel Barkal or Gebel Barkal is a very small mountain located some 400 km north of Khartoum, in Karima town in Northern State in Sudan, on a large bend of the Nile River, in the region called Nubia....
- Bagrawiyah Royal CemeteriesMeroëMeroë Meroitic: Medewi or Bedewi; Arabic: and Meruwi) is an ancient city on the east bank of the Nile about 6 km north-east of the Kabushiya station near Shendi, Sudan, approximately 200 km north-east of Khartoum. Near the site are a group of villages called Bagrawiyah...
- Pyramids of Meroe (Begarawiyah)Pyramids of Meroe (Begarawiyah)Near Meroe three royal cemeteries were constructed.* South Cemetery features nine royal pyramids. Four of the pyramids belonged to Kings and five belonged to queens. One hundred ninety-five other tombs complete the cemetery....