As opposed to the Elephant Temple we just discussed, the nearby “Lion Temple” or Apedemak 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 … Continue reading
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 of Apedemak. The Great Enclosure, which was mostly built around the third century BC, is a vast structure consisting of low walls, … Continue reading
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
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
I had wanted to visit Cappadocia since reading an article about the region in high school. I saved the article and would be reminded of my desire to go every time I was going through my things. So, while it might have taken me some time to make it there, I did finally make it … Continue reading
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
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
The Velvet Rocket 