Explore El Kurru in 3D
A small village that is famous for being home to archaeological site of a royal cemetery in Sudan
Inside the Tomb of Tanwetamani (2023) by CyArkCyArk
Introducing El Kurru
On west bank of the Nile in Northern Sudan, El-Kurru is a small village that is famous for being home to archaeological site of a royal cemetery, or necropolis, built by royal families of the Kushite Empire.
CyArk trainers and workshop participants outside the Tomb of Tanwetamani, El Kurru (2023) by CyArkCyArk
Documenting El Kurru
In 2023 as part of the U.S. Community Heritage Exchange Initiative, CyArk hosted 3D documentation and storytelling workshops for local community members to learn 3D documentation technologies and create a virtual tour of El Kurru.
Workshop trainees document the interior of the tomb of Tanwetamani (2023) by CyArkCyArk
Creating the 3D Model
Trainees documented the tomb using photogrammetry and LiDAR.
Workshop trainees record interview with community members in El Kurru, Sudan (2023) by CyArkCyArk
Sharing the Stories of El Kurru
The workshop participants collaborated over 1 week in the field to document the tomb of Tanwetamani and interview local residents about their connections to the site. The resulting tour showcases the commitment of the community to the preservation of this place.
El Kurru Pyramid 3D Render (2023) by CyArkCyArk
Explore the Tomb of Tanwetamani
The Tomb of Tanwetamani is adorned with exquisite paintings that portray the king's journey to the afterlife. King Tanwetamani was a king of Kush who was also the last pharaoh of Egypt's Twenty-fifth Dynasty.
El Kurru Tomb Interior by CyArkCyArk
Tomb Entrance
Inside the tomb's chambers, you'll find exquisite wall paintings, testifying to the extraordinary skill of artists from over 2500 years ago. These paintings help us understand some commonly held beliefs during the reign of Tanwetamani.
Main Chamber
In the center of the wall a large table-like structure is shown; this is the top of the burial bed (with the tail of a lion at the left) on which the wrapped king’s body would have been placed.
West Wall
On the back wall, the climactic scene shows the king’s heart, which has been judged to be pure. The king’s soul, known as the ba, is shown as a human-headed bird.
This project was made possible thanks to support and efforts from the following organizations: The U.S Department of State, University of Michigan Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, StoryCenter and CyArk.
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