Nuri
Encyclopedia
Nuri is a place in modern Sudan
on the south (east) 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 Kush.
The earliest pyramid (Nu. 1) at Nuri belongs to king Taharqa
which measures 51.75 metres square by 40 or by 50 metres high. His successor Tantamani
was buried somewhere else, but all following Nubian kings and many of their wives till Nastasen
(Nu. 15) (about 330 BC) were buried here. The pyramids
at Nuri are in general smaller than the Egyptian ones and are today often heavily destroyed, but they often still contained substantial parts of the funerary equipment of the Kushite rulers who were buried here. During the Christian era, a church was erected here. The church was built of many old stones, including several stelae originally coming from the pyramids.
The pyramids were systematically excavated by George Reisner
.
The pyramids of Nuri together with other buildings in the region around Gebel Barkal have been placed on the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage sites since 2003.
The royal family of Kush was buried in the cemeteries of Nuri and el-Kurru
.
The pyramids of Nuri are built on two separate plateaus. The highest point in the cemetery is taken up by Taharqa
's pyramid on the western plateau. The pyramids of the other kings are located on the eastern plateau. The pyramids of the royal women are placed closer to Taharqa
's pyramid on the western plateau. These pyramids fall into three groups: (1) A group of pyramids is located to the south and west of Taharqa
's pyramid; (2) Two parallel rows are located to the north of Taharqa
's pyramid; (3) A group of very small tombs is located to the far north.
The King's Mothers were buried in the southern group, but this is not an area exclusively used for the burial of King's Mothers. Most of the King's Wives were buried in the parallel rows just north of Taharqa
's tomb. The tombs to the far north were much smaller and may have been built for wives of lesser rank.
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
on the south (east) side of the Nile. Close to it, there are pyramids belonging to Nubian kings. Nuri is situated about 15 km north of Sanam
Sanam, Sudan
Sanam is a modern village in Sudan. Here were found the remains of an ancient town which florished mainly in the Napatan-Period. This are perhaps the remains of Napata, the capital of the Kushite empire from about 800 to 300 BC. Parts of the town were excavated in 1912 to 1913 by Francis Llewellyn...
, and 10 km from Jebel Barkal
Jebel Barkal
Jebel 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....
. All these remains belonged to the ancient city 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...
, the first capital of the Nubian kingdom of Kush.
Taharqa
Taharqa 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...
which measures 51.75 metres square by 40 or by 50 metres high. His successor 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...
was buried somewhere else, but all following Nubian kings and many of their wives till 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:...
(Nu. 15) (about 330 BC) were buried here. The pyramids
Nubian pyramids
Nubian pyramids are pyramids that were built by the rulers of the Kushite and Egyptian kingdoms. Prior to the Kushites building these pyramids , there had been no pyramid construction in Egypt and the Nile Valley for more than 500 years.The area of the Nile valley known as Nubia, which lies within...
at Nuri are in general smaller than the Egyptian ones and are today often heavily destroyed, but they often still contained substantial parts of the funerary equipment of the Kushite rulers who were buried here. During the Christian era, a church was erected here. The church was built of many old stones, including several stelae originally coming from the pyramids.
The pyramids were systematically excavated by George Reisner
George Reisner
-References:* * "Reisner, George Andrew." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2005. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 11 Nov. 2005 .-External links:...
.
The pyramids of Nuri together with other buildings in the region around Gebel Barkal have been placed on the UNESCO list of world cultural heritage sites since 2003.
Tombs at Nuri
- See List of monarchs of Kush for more information.
The royal family of Kush was buried in the cemeteries of Nuri and el-Kurru
El-Kurru
El-Kurru was one of the royal cemeteries used by the Nubian 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 ....
.
The pyramids of Nuri are built on two separate plateaus. The highest point in the cemetery is taken up by Taharqa
Taharqa
Taharqa 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...
's pyramid on the western plateau. The pyramids of the other kings are located on the eastern plateau. The pyramids of the royal women are placed closer to Taharqa
Taharqa
Taharqa 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...
's pyramid on the western plateau. These pyramids fall into three groups: (1) A group of pyramids is located to the south and west of Taharqa
Taharqa
Taharqa 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...
's pyramid; (2) Two parallel rows are located to the north of Taharqa
Taharqa
Taharqa 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...
's pyramid; (3) A group of very small tombs is located to the far north.
The King's Mothers were buried in the southern group, but this is not an area exclusively used for the burial of King's Mothers. Most of the King's Wives were buried in the parallel rows just north of Taharqa
Taharqa
Taharqa 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...
's tomb. The tombs to the far north were much smaller and may have been built for wives of lesser rank.
- Nuri 1 - King 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...
- Nuri 2 - King Amaniastabarqa
- Nuri 3 - King SenkamaniskenSenkamaniskenSenkamanisken was a Nubian king who ruled from 640 to 620 BC at Napata.Senkamisken used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Sehtawy...
- Nuri 4 - King SiaspiqaSiaspiqaSiaspiqa was a Kushite King of Meroe in 487–468 BC.Prenomen: Segeregtawyre Nomen: SiaspiqaSiaspiqa was the successor of Amaniastabarqa and was in turn succeeded by Nasakhma....
- Nuri 5 - King MalonaqenMalonaqenMalonaqen was a Nubian king who probably governed in the first half of the 6th century BC. His prenomen was "Sekhemkare."He is thought to be the son of king Aramatle-qo and queen Amanitakaye although this is based merely on assumptions. His queen consort is thought to be Tagtal, who was buried at...
- Nuri 6 - King AnlamaniAnlamaniAnlamani was a king of Nubia or Kush who ruled from 620 BC and died around 600 BC.Anlamani used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Kanakht Khaemmaat...
, son of King SenkamaniskenSenkamaniskenSenkamanisken was a Nubian king who ruled from 640 to 620 BC at Napata.Senkamisken used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Sehtawy... - Nuri 7 - King Karkamani
- Nuri 8 - King AspeltaAspeltaAspelta was a ruler of the kingdom of Kush .Aspelta used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Neferkha Nebty Name: Neferkha...
, son of King SenkamaniskenSenkamaniskenSenkamanisken was a Nubian king who ruled from 640 to 620 BC at Napata.Senkamisken used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Sehtawy...
and Queen Naparaye - Nuri 9 - King Aramatle-qoAramatle-qoAramatle-qo or Amtalqa was a Nubian king. Dunham and Macadam claim that he used the throne name 'Neferibre'.Török mentions that Aspelta used the following prenomen and nomen:Prenomen: Wadjkare...
, son of AspeltaAspeltaAspelta was a ruler of the kingdom of Kush .Aspelta used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Neferkha Nebty Name: Neferkha... - Nuri 10 - King Amaninatakilebte
- Nuri 11 - King MalewiebamaniMalewiebamaniMalewiebamani was a Kushite King of Meroe.Prenomen: Kheperkare Nomen: MalewiebamaniMalewiebamani's mother was likely Queen Saka'aye...
- Nuri 12 - King AmanineteyerikeAmanineteyerikeAmanineteyerike was a Kushite King of Meroe. His reign is dated to the end of the 5th century BCE.Amanineteyerike took on a full set of titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs....
, son of King MalewiebamaniMalewiebamaniMalewiebamani was a Kushite King of Meroe.Prenomen: Kheperkare Nomen: MalewiebamaniMalewiebamani's mother was likely Queen Saka'aye... - Nuri 13 - King 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...
- Nuri 14 - King AkhratenAkhratenAkhraten was a King of Kush .Akhraten took on at least some titles based on those used by the Egyptian Pharaohs....
- Nuri 15 - King NastasenNastasenNastasen 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:...
- Nuri 16 - King TalakhamaniTalakhamaniTalakhamani was a Kushite King of Meroe during the second half of the 5th century BCE. No prenomen is known, and his nomen is Talakhamani. He may have been a son of Nasakhma and a younger brother of Malewiebamani. It is also possible Talakhamani is a son of Malewiebamani.Talakhamani is known from a...
- Nuri 17 - King BaskakerenBaskakerenBaskakeren was a king of Kush . He was likely a son of King Malewiebamani and the younger brother of King Amanineteyerike. He succeeded King Amanineteyerike to the throne....
, son of King MalewiebamaniMalewiebamaniMalewiebamani was a Kushite King of Meroe.Prenomen: Kheperkare Nomen: MalewiebamaniMalewiebamani's mother was likely Queen Saka'aye... - Nuri 18 - King AnalmayeAnalmayeAnalmaye was a Kushite King of Meroe who ruled in the 6th century BC.He succeeded King Malonaqen and was in turn succeeded by King Amaninatakilebte.He was buried in Nuri .-References:...
- Nuri 19 - King NasakhmaNasakhmaNasakhma was a Kushite King of Meroe.He was the successor of king Siaspiqa.Nasakhma was succeeded by Malewiebamani, who may have been his eldest son. It is possible that Talakhmani was a younger son of Nasakhma who took the throne after his brother Malewiebamani...
- Nuri 20 - King AtlanersaAtlanersaAtlanersa was a Nubian king who ruled around 653 to 640 BC as the successor of Tantamani, the last ruler of the 25th Nubian dynasty in Egypt. In contrast to his predecessor, Atlanersa's kingdom was restricted to the region of Kush south of the Aswan....
Son 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... - Nuri 21 - Possibly TakahatenamunTakahatenamunTakahatenamun was a Nubian queen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt.Takahatamun was the daughter of King Piye and the sister-wife of King Taharqa...
, Queen. 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... - Nuri 22 - Possibly Amanimalel, Queen. Wife of King SenkamaniskenSenkamaniskenSenkamanisken was a Nubian king who ruled from 640 to 620 BC at Napata.Senkamisken used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Sehtawy...
- Nuri 23 - Masalaye, Queen? Probably wife of King SenkamaniskenSenkamaniskenSenkamanisken was a Nubian king who ruled from 640 to 620 BC at Napata.Senkamisken used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Sehtawy...
- Nuri 24 - Nasalsa Queen. Daughter of AtlanersaAtlanersaAtlanersa was a Nubian king who ruled around 653 to 640 BC as the successor of Tantamani, the last ruler of the 25th Nubian dynasty in Egypt. In contrast to his predecessor, Atlanersa's kingdom was restricted to the region of Kush south of the Aswan....
, wife of King SenkamaniskenSenkamaniskenSenkamanisken was a Nubian king who ruled from 640 to 620 BC at Napata.Senkamisken used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Sehtawy... - Nuri 25 - Maletaral II, Queen?. Time of King Amaninatakilebte
- Nuri 26 - Amanitakaye, Queen. Daughter of AspeltaAspeltaAspelta was a ruler of the kingdom of Kush .Aspelta used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Neferkha Nebty Name: Neferkha...
, sister-wife of Aramatle-qoAramatle-qoAramatle-qo or Amtalqa was a Nubian king. Dunham and Macadam claim that he used the throne name 'Neferibre'.Török mentions that Aspelta used the following prenomen and nomen:Prenomen: Wadjkare...
, mother of MalonaqenMalonaqenMalonaqen was a Nubian king who probably governed in the first half of the 6th century BC. His prenomen was "Sekhemkare."He is thought to be the son of king Aramatle-qo and queen Amanitakaye although this is based merely on assumptions. His queen consort is thought to be Tagtal, who was buried at... - Nuri 27 - Madiqen, Queen. Wife of AnlamaniAnlamaniAnlamani was a king of Nubia or Kush who ruled from 620 BC and died around 600 BC.Anlamani used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Kanakht Khaemmaat...
- Nuri 28 - Henuttakhebi[t], Queen. Wife of AspeltaAspeltaAspelta was a ruler of the kingdom of Kush .Aspelta used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Neferkha Nebty Name: Neferkha...
- Nuri 29 - Pi'ankhqew-qa Queen? Possibly wife of King SiaspiqaSiaspiqaSiaspiqa was a Kushite King of Meroe in 487–468 BC.Prenomen: Segeregtawyre Nomen: SiaspiqaSiaspiqa was the successor of Amaniastabarqa and was in turn succeeded by Nasakhma....
- Nuri 31 - Saka'aye, Queen. Probably mother of King MalewiebamaniMalewiebamaniMalewiebamani was a Kushite King of Meroe.Prenomen: Kheperkare Nomen: MalewiebamaniMalewiebamani's mother was likely Queen Saka'aye...
- Nuri 32 - Akhrasan, Queen. Temp. King MalewiebamaniMalewiebamaniMalewiebamani was a Kushite King of Meroe.Prenomen: Kheperkare Nomen: MalewiebamaniMalewiebamani's mother was likely Queen Saka'aye...
- Nuri 34 - Henutirdis, Queen. From the time of King 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...
- Nuri 35 - Possibly Queen AbarAbar (Queen)Abar was a Nubian queen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt.-Life:Abar was the mother of King Taharqa and wife of the King Piye. She was a niece of King Alara of Nubia ....
, 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...
, Mother 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... - Nuri 36 - AtakhebaskenAtakhebaskenAtakhebasken was a Nubian queen dated to the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt. She was the Great Royal Wife of Pharaoh Taharqa.-Burial:...
Queen. 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... - Nuri 38 - Akhe(qa?), Queen. Daughter of AspeltaAspeltaAspelta was a ruler of the kingdom of Kush .Aspelta used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Neferkha Nebty Name: Neferkha...
and wife of Aramatle-qoAramatle-qoAramatle-qo or Amtalqa was a Nubian king. Dunham and Macadam claim that he used the throne name 'Neferibre'.Török mentions that Aspelta used the following prenomen and nomen:Prenomen: Wadjkare... - Nuri 39 - Maletasen, Queen. Wife of Aramatle-qoAramatle-qoAramatle-qo or Amtalqa was a Nubian king. Dunham and Macadam claim that he used the throne name 'Neferibre'.Török mentions that Aspelta used the following prenomen and nomen:Prenomen: Wadjkare...
- Nuri 40 - Meqemale, Queen. Possibly wife of AspeltaAspeltaAspelta was a ruler of the kingdom of Kush .Aspelta used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Neferkha Nebty Name: Neferkha...
- Nuri 41 - Maletaral(?) I, Queen. Wife of AtlanersaAtlanersaAtlanersa was a Nubian king who ruled around 653 to 640 BC as the successor of Tantamani, the last ruler of the 25th Nubian dynasty in Egypt. In contrast to his predecessor, Atlanersa's kingdom was restricted to the region of Kush south of the Aswan....
- Nuri 42 - Asata, Queen. Wife of AspeltaAspeltaAspelta was a ruler of the kingdom of Kush .Aspelta used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Neferkha Nebty Name: Neferkha...
- Nuri 44 - Batahaliye, Queen. Wife of 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...
- Nuri 45 - Tagtal (?), Queen. Wife of King MalonaqenMalonaqenMalonaqen was a Nubian king who probably governed in the first half of the 6th century BC. His prenomen was "Sekhemkare."He is thought to be the son of king Aramatle-qo and queen Amanitakaye although this is based merely on assumptions. His queen consort is thought to be Tagtal, who was buried at...
- Nuri 43 - Yeturow, Queen. Sister-Wife of AtlanersaAtlanersaAtlanersa was a Nubian king who ruled around 653 to 640 BC as the successor of Tantamani, the last ruler of the 25th Nubian dynasty in Egypt. In contrast to his predecessor, Atlanersa's kingdom was restricted to the region of Kush south of the Aswan....
- Nuri 55 - Atmataka, Queen. Wife of Aramatle-qoAramatle-qoAramatle-qo or Amtalqa was a Nubian king. Dunham and Macadam claim that he used the throne name 'Neferibre'.Török mentions that Aspelta used the following prenomen and nomen:Prenomen: Wadjkare...
- Nuri 56 - Possibly Sakhmakh, Queen. Wife of NastasenNastasenNastasen 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:...
- Nuri 57 - Pi'ankh-her( ?), Queen. Wife of Aramatle-qoAramatle-qoAramatle-qo or Amtalqa was a Nubian king. Dunham and Macadam claim that he used the throne name 'Neferibre'.Török mentions that Aspelta used the following prenomen and nomen:Prenomen: Wadjkare...
- Nuri 58 - Artaha, Queen. Wife of AspeltaAspeltaAspelta was a ruler of the kingdom of Kush .Aspelta used titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs.Horus name: Neferkha Nebty Name: Neferkha...
- Nuri 59 - Malaqaye, Queen. Possibly a wife of 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...
- Nuri 61 - Atasamale, Queen. Possibly a wife of AmanineteyerikeAmanineteyerikeAmanineteyerike was a Kushite King of Meroe. His reign is dated to the end of the 5th century BCE.Amanineteyerike took on a full set of titles based on those of the Egyptian Pharaohs....
Literature
- Dows Dunham. The Royal Cemeteries of Kush II, Nuri, Boston (Mass.): Museum of Fine Arts, 1955.