Archaeologists Discover Hundreds of Strange, Ancient Mass Graves in the Desert

Satellite imagery in eastern Sudan has revealed 260 previously unknown circular burial monuments across nearly 1,000 km of desert.

Excavated examples date to about 4000–3000 BCE and appear to belong to Saharan nomads who buried humans and livestock together.

The findings broaden evidence for an early desert society and hint at growing social hierarchy in the region.

They also help explain how long-term drying in the Sahara reshaped life before and alongside early state formation in Egypt.