The mirage is a spectacular scene that appears behind you as you travel north towards Khartoum via a short desert road to the ancient city Mero. There are hundreds of high pyramids visible at the horizon.
No matter how many times you return, there is an incredible sense of discovery.
Mero, which was once the capital of Kingdom of Kush, is divided by this route. The eastern royal cemetery is densely populated with around 50 red brick and sandstone pyramids. Some have shattered roofs, remnants of European raiders of the 19th century. The royal city is located to the west and contains remnants from a palace, temple, and royal bath. Each edifice reflects Meroe’s international connections. The architecture draws from local, Egyptian, as well as Greco-Roman ornamental style.
An overview of “Land of Kush”
Northern Sudan’s first inhabitants date back 300,000. It is home of the Kingdom Of Kush, an ancient Sub-Saharan African kingdom that dates back to 2500-1500 BC. These ceramics were some of the finest in the Nile Valley, including Kerma beakers.
Sudan is known for its natural riches, including gold, ivory, and ebony. These materials were used to create several artifacts that are part of the British Museum’s collection. The Old Kingdom (2686-2181 BC) was a time when ancient Egyptians moved southward to seek these riches. This led to violence, as Egyptian and Sudanese kings sought to dominate commerce.
Kush, the most powerful state of the Nile Valley at the time, was established around 1700 BC. Kush and Egypt were at war, which ended in Thutmose’s conquest over Kush (1504-1492 BC). Because they were out of reach of Egyptian kings, Neolithic cultures survived in the south and west.
City of Meroë with its weird mural artwork of a giant transporting elephants
Mero is distinguished with nearly two hundred pyramids, many which are in ruins. These are the dimensions and proportions for Nubian pyramids.
Frédéric Cailliaud, a French mineralogist, first brought the Mero location to the attention of Europeans in 1821. (1787-1869). Most fascinating discoveries were the reliefs and paintings found on the walls in the sepulchral rooms. One of the paintings depicts a huge giant with two elephants.
His features are Caucasian and not Nubian. His hair is light. Is this the evidence of six-fingered, red-haired giants in ancient times?
Are there any giants that actually walked the Nile Valley in ancient times?
Josephus Flavius, the Roman historian, stated in 79AD that the last of Egypt’s giants lived in 13th century BC during King Joshua’s reign. He said that their large bodies and faces were so unlike ordinary people that it was amazing to see them. It was also terrifying to hear their loud voice, which sounded almost like a lion’s roar.
A number of wall paintings from ancient Egypt depict the builders and “Giant People” who stood 5-6 meters tall. Experts believe each giant was capable of lifting up to 5 tons of blocks. The old murals showed giant rulers in ancient Egypt. Others depicted subordinates.
Gregor Spoerri was a Swiss entrepreneur who became an avid student and researcher of Egyptian history. He made contact with a group ancient grave thieves through one Egypt’s private suppliers. Spoerri attended the meeting in Bir Hooker, 100 km northeast of Cairo. There he saw a massive mummified finger wrapped up in rags.
The finger was very light and dry. Spoerri stated that the incredible monster it belonged to should have been at least 5m (almost 16.48ft tall). To prove its authenticity, one tomb raider showed a photo of an X-Ray taken in 1960 of the mummified fingers.
