Discover the perilous state of Sudan’s heritage as soldiers from militia forces pose with Kalashnikovs at the ancient ruins of Naga, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Located near the Nile, Naga was once a royal residence boasting temples, palaces, and graves. However, ongoing conflict has left the precious archaeology site defenseless and susceptible to looting.
Amidst a severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan, ten million people are displaced, and half the population is experiencing hunger. This has led to the destruction and looting of museums and cultural artifacts across the country. UNESCO is urging caution against acquiring Sudanese cultural items on the art market to protect the nation’s identity.
Archaeologists fear for the future of Naga, where plans for a museum by renowned architect David Chipperfield hang in the balance. With the National Museum in Khartoum also looted, the iconic souq market of Omdurman burnt out, and the Goethe-Institut in Khartoum abandoned, Sudan’s cultural assets are in dire jeopardy.
As the conflict rages on, the cultural travel industry in Sudan has come to a standstill, with warnings against travel to the war-torn country.