Kerma, located at the southern end of the Third Cataract along the Middle Nile, was once the heart of a powerful Bronze Age culture that dominated the region around 2500 BC. Today, it is a lively village and key marketplace, but its ancient past is marked by significant archaeological sites. Visitors can explore the monumental Western Deffufa, a large mudbrick structure believed to be a temple, as well as the nearby vast cemetery with over 30,000 tombs, including royal burials in massive tumuli. Kerma also offers insight into the conflict with ancient Egypt, as the site was later destroyed by the pharaohs during the New Kingdom.