Full name of site: Meroe
Country: Sudan
Short description of site (also include multiple locations if applicable): An archaeological site containing over 200 pyramids built by the Kushite Kingdom between 800 B.C. and 300 A.D. Meroe was the capital of the Kushite Kingdom, giving the site great historical importance. also on the site, there is a stele erected by the king of Aksum, showing the interchange of values between the two cultures.
Criteria (cultural, natural, mixed): I, II, III, IV
Outstanding universal value / comparative analysis: though superficial similar to the pyramids at Giza, the two sites are different. the pyramid are steeper, and constructed from different brick. the art of the reliefs is also different, being from a different civilization. the site that is most similar to Meroe is Jebel Barkal, how ever the beauty of Meroe surpasses Jebel Barkal, as does its historical and architectural importance.

Meroe is well worth proposing but I couldn't really agree that its historical and architectural importance is greater than that of Jebel Barkal.
Please see my review of the Jebel and its associated sites - this is where Upper/Lower Egypt and Nubia are joined both physically and culturally. The home of Amun and the place where the pyramid was adopted by Nubians - the transition is wonderfully visible in 1 site (El Kurru). The Nubians were to go on to rule Egypt - the "colony" took over at least for a while!

My review also states that Meroe is my favourite Sudanese site - it is flashier with its photogenic and unmistakeably shaped pyramids nestling among sand dunes - you can see why it is used as the iconic Sudanese site on bank notes etc when the Jebel is not. The only negative is the line of enormous pylons (of the Electricity carrying variety!!) sweeping along the horizon within view of Meroe to carry electricity from the new Chinese built dam to Khartoum and Omdurman. What, I wonder, would ICOMOS make of that if Sudan does ever get to propose Meroe (it is on their T List). Couldn't the Chinese be persuaded to pay for all that oil by at least putting a few kms of the cable underground??

I think the List could stand a couple more monuments from the "Egyptian Civilisation" and Meroe is representative of a distinct branch of that civilisation with plenty to see.

Many sites in Sudan should be recognised as a world heritage site!!! Jebal Barkel, Meroe just to name two. Sudan is home to the world oldest classical civilisation in the world, TA SETI but this is still covered up. The Kushites were never defeated by the Romans and their immense Gold and Iron trading system supplied Egypt and even went as far as India.

Check out the Nubian Spirit: The African Legacy of the Nile Valley
Its a great film that should these amazing sites in Sudan.

You can buy the DVD and see clips of it at www.blackninefilms.com