Floods caused major trouble in Sudan this summer. Rising waters destroyed 100,000 homes. Now the floods inch farther—into the ancient royal city of the Kushite kings.

The city is known as the Island of Meroe. This spot was once the heartland of the Kingdom of Kush. Kushite kings ruled from the 8th century B.C. to the 4th century. And the kings of Kush are buried in pyramids—the most extraordinary pyramids you have (maybe) never heard of.

Pyramids usually make us think of Egypt. Did you know there are twice as many pyramids in Sudan? Sudan has more pyramids than any other country in the world. The Meroe Pyramids were built in Nubia. That was one of the first civilizations in Africa. Egyptian pyramids hold pharaohs. These hold pharaohs too. These kings ruled the people of Kush. They were called the Black Pharaohs. Rich Kushite people were buried in these pyramids for almost 600 years.

This summer, two weeks of heavy rain fell in Ethiopia. The Nile River swelled. Rainy season happens in that part of the world every year from June to October. But this year was extra rainy. The Nile rose about 57 feet in August. The river has not flooded so severely in almost 100 years. Flash floods struck much of Sudan beginning in late July. Authorities declared the country a natural disaster area.

Sudan already had plenty of problems. The country is deeply in debt. People cannot not get enough fuel, bread, and medicine to live. Sudanese money becomes less valuable as time goes by.

Now people pump water out of parts of the submerged pyramid site. They set up sandbag barricades. The situation is under control for now. But workers are watching for more water.