Construction of Western Deffufa Temple at Kerma

Around 1750 BCE, rulers of the Kingdom of Kerma constructed the Western Deffufa, a mud-brick temple that served as the civilization's spiritual center. The structure rose approximately 18 meters with multiple levels, an interior staircase, rooftop platform, and subterranean chambers. The temple complex included columned rooms, passageways, painted walls, and a shrine. Evidence suggests a limestone altar near the temple was used for animal sacrifices. The Western Deffufa represents one of the earliest major religious structures in sub-Saharan Africa and the best-preserved example of Nubian monumental architecture.