UNESCO sites in Sudan

Sudan, Africa’s third-largest country, is a land of ancient civilisations, vast deserts and the mighty River Nile. Bordered by seven nations and the Red Sea, it boasts diverse cultures, archaeological wonders and unique natural reserves, reflecting its deep and rich heritage.

Stretching over 60 kilometres along the Nile, this property's five archaeological sites feature tombs, pyramids, temples, palaces, burial mounds and funerary chambers from the Napatan (900 to 270 BC) and Meroitic (270 BC to 350 AD) cultures of the ancient kingdom of Kush.

The necropolis of Gebel Barkal contains royal tombs, with pyramids which reach 30 metres in height. The Kurru cemetery, excavated in the early 20^th century, houses royal tombs, while the Nuri cemetery features 82 pyramidal tombs dating from 664 to 310 BC.

At Sanam are a large cemetery and temple, and the vast burial ground of Zuma is covered with small tumuli. The five sites illustrate a unique architecture, which blends Egyptian influence with local traditions, and reflects the political, religious and artistic values of the era.

These cultural and religious landmarks offer a rare glimpse into the Kushite civilization that flourished along the Nile for over two millennia. They remain largely untouched by modern development, offering an authentic and intact record of ancient life in Nubia.

This semi-desert landscape was once the heart of the Kushite Kingdom, a dominant power from the 8^th century BCE to the 4^th century CE. The property includes the ruins of Meroe, a royal capital, and the sacred sites of Naqa and Musawwarat es-Sufra.

Located between the Nile and Atbara rivers, the site features pyramids, temples and palaces, which reflect Kushite, Egyptian, Greek and Roman influences. Naqa and Musawwarat es-Sufra are home to buildings and monuments which reflect their role as important religious centres.

The influence of the kingdom waned after Christianity spread across the Nile in the 6^th century CE. Despite 19^th-century looting, Meroe’s integrity remains largely intact. Protected by Sudanese law, the site gives insights into the power and artistry of the Kushite civilization.

Inscribed in 2016, Sanganeb Marine National Park and Dungonab Bay – Mukkawar Island Marine National Park is located in the northern part of the Red Sea. Sanganeb is Sudan’s only atoll, and is teeming with over 300 fish species, sharks, dolphins and vibrant coral ecosystems.

North of Port Sudan, Dungonab Bay and Mukkawar Island hold a vast marine sanctuary of coral reefs, mangroves and seagrass beds. This pristine habitat shelters rare dugongs, manta rays, turtles and migratory birds, making it a breeding and feeding ground for endangered species.

A meeting point of northern and southern Red Sea biodiversity, this site is among the world’s most intact marine ecosystems. Its thirteen reef zones and diverse seascapes create vital habitats for aquatic life, sustaining intricate food webs and ensuring ecosystem stability.