260 Ancient Structures Found in Sahara Desert

An international team of archaeologists discovered 260 ancient funerary structures in the Eastern Desert of Sudan. The team located these monuments—dating to roughly 4,500 to 6,500 years ago—by analyzing satellite imagery.

These circular collective burials range in size, with some reaching 80 meters in diameter. Archaeologists found human and animal remains within the structures, including cattle, sheep, and goats.

The researchers link these newly identified sites to the already known Atbai Enclosure Burials, suggesting a nomadic pastoral culture thrived during the “Green Sahara” period. This wetter phase, occurring approximately 15,000 to 5,000 years ago, alternated with desertification cycles every 21,000 years.

However, a recent gold rush now threatens these archaeological sites. At least 12 monuments already show damage from mining and vandalism, and further detailed study remains incomplete. The team hopes to document these sites before more are lost to ongoing exploitation.