Pyramids did not belong only to ancient Egypt, as the ancient Kingdom of Kush also built them at Meroe in modern-day Sudan. In 1833, Italian physician and treasure hunter Giuseppe Ferlini obtained permission from Sudan's governor-general, Ali Kurshid Pasha, to excavate the ruins after hearing stories of hidden gold. During his 1834 expedition, Ferlini demolished several pyramids with explosives and dismantled the 28-meter-high pyramid of Queen Amanishakheto from the top, uncovering dozens of pieces of gold and silver jewelry. His destructive methods badly damaged Meroe's monuments.
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