As opposed to the Elephant Temple we just discussed, the nearby Lion Temple might have been a site of pilgrimage. In 1822, when the first European expedition visited the Lion Temple at Musawwarat es-Sufra, except for a few contours of the outer north wall and some columns remaining visible, the temple was found in ruins. … Continue reading »
Filed under Sudan …
The Elephant Temple, Sudan
Musawwarat Es Sufra (or just Moswarat) is the largest temple complex dating back to the Meroitic Period in Sudan. It consists of two main parts — the Great Enclosure and the Lion Temple. The Great Enclosure is a vast structure consisting of low walls, a colonnade, two reservoirs and two long ramps. The purpose served … Continue reading »
Staying With A Nubian Family… (And Investment Ideas For Sudan)
While visiting places like Sai Island and Soleb, we stayed as guests in the home of a Nubian family. They’re a busy family, but they’re a very friendly family… That’s right, he is on two mobile phones at the same time: Have you noticed a Sudanese investment theme yet? It isn’t just this family either. … Continue reading »
I’m Claiming First Ascent (By A Westerner)…
The pictures below were taken in the middle of nowhere in the Bayuda Desert in Sudan. And I really mean the middle of nowhere… We drove for hours cross-country to reach this point where we set up camp for the night. While we were setting up our camp, I noticed this hill (below) in the … Continue reading »
Sai Island, Sudan
I found Sai Island to be quite remarkable – definitely one of my favorite places in Sudan. The island is one of the largest in the Nile Valley yet remains almost completely uninhabited today. This is despite the discovery of human remains that are over one hundred thousand years old and the presence of a … Continue reading »
The Temple of Soleb, Sudan
Strongly resembling the temple of Luxor, the temple of Soleb, situated on the west bank of the Nile River, is a well-preserved sandstone temple ordered by Amenhotep III (the ruler of Nubia at the time) in honor of the gods Amun-Re and Nebmaatre. Leading from a terraced temple on the Nile banks, a processional way … Continue reading »
Petrified Forest, Sudan
It’s hard to find somewhere much more desolate than this – except perhaps Bouvet Island. “This” is in the middle of the Sahara desert in Sudan. It wasn’t always like this though as the petrified forest pictured below proves. Hard to find a greater contrast in a “now” and “then” scenario, isn’t it? Transiency is … Continue reading »
