Meroe pyramids face collapse risk as Sudan war halts care

Sudan’s civil war has brought preservation work at the Meroe archaeological site to a standstill, raising fears of structural collapse at one of the country’s best-known heritage landscapes. The UNESCO World Heritage location lies about 200 kilometers north of Khartoum and includes more than 200 pyramids built between 800 BC and 350 AD.

Officials and experts said the conflict, which began in April 2023, has interrupted routine maintenance and reduced site security. Foreign archaeological missions have been suspended, and local staff who had supported preservation and monitoring have dispersed, leaving the monuments more exposed to both environmental stress and the absence of professional oversight.

Conflict-driven pause leaves monuments without protection

Specialists working on Sudan’s archaeological heritage said the lack of ongoing care is accelerating decay at Meroe. In normal conditions, regular clearing, monitoring, and controlled access can slow damage that builds up over time in desert environments.

At Meroe, experts reported that windblown sand is accumulating around structures and across stone surfaces. They also cited vegetation encroachment as a growing concern, particularly where plants take hold near masonry and in areas that would typically be managed through maintenance and conservation routines.

Salt crystallization and erosion threaten inscriptions

According to experts, the combined effects of sand buildup and expanding vegetation are contributing to salt crystallization on the stone. They said this process is eroding ancient inscriptions and loosening masonry, a deterioration pattern that can undermine stability when left unaddressed.

The site’s pyramids are part of the funerary landscape of the Kingdom of Kush, and officials warned that the loss of inscriptions and the weakening of stonework would degrade not only the monuments’ physical integrity but also the historical record embedded in their surfaces.

UNESCO cites wider damage across Sudan’s heritage

UNESCO has estimated that more than 100 cultural sites across Sudan have sustained damage since hostilities began. The estimate adds to concerns that the conflict is affecting heritage far beyond a single location, as conservation operations and protective measures become difficult to sustain.

At Meroe, specialists said the most immediate risks come from environmental exposure paired with the lack of trained oversight. They warned that without timely intervention, ongoing decay could become irreversible, increasing the likelihood that structural problems will deepen before repair teams can return safely.

When and how preservation work could resume remains uncertain, as the conflict continues to constrain access, staffing, and security. For now, officials and experts said the site’s long-term survival depends on restoring basic protection and maintenance before further erosion and masonry loosening take hold.