First diving expedition under a pyramid

The first SCUBA dive to take place beneath a pyramid was executed as part of the Nuri Archaeological Expedition, led by American archaeologist Pearce Paul Creasman, who explored the flooded tomb of Kushite King Nastasen situated beneath his associated pyramid at the ancient royal cemetery in Nuri, Sudan, in January 2019.

The Kingdom of Kush was a culture that thrived in the region of Nubia (situated around the River Nile in what is now northern Sudan and southern Egypt) from 8th century BCE to 4th century CE. The Kushite civilization was the most prolific builder of pyramids, and Sudan remains the country with the most ancient pyramids still standing – between 230 and 255 (that compares with 120–140 in neighbouring Egypt). Unlike in the better-known pyramids of Egypt, such as those at Giza, royals and societal elites were laid to rest underneath pyramids at Kushite burial sites, as opposed to within the structures.

As a result of this practice of interring bodies below ground level, the tombs are susceptible to fluctuations in the local water table over time. This is how the burial chamber of King Nastasen – who reigned from approximately 335 to 315 BCE – became submerged. While this has made access to the site far more difficult for archaeologists, a benefit is that it has also prevented grave robbers from getting in and removing artefacts over the centuries.

While diving in the tomb, Creasman and colleagues encountered the undisturbed stone coffin of King Nastasen, a number of ceramic and glass figurines still coated with traces of gold leaf and even a toe bone placed in a golden cap that is believed to be from the ancient ruler himself.