Jebel Barkal, holy mountain, is a striking geographical feature that dominates the surrounds and it is not hard to see that the ancient Egyptians and Kushites believed it to be the home of the god Amoun. Hence in the 15th century BC a temple was built here dedicated to Amoun.

The temple is very ruined and much of the structure is covered in sand but the ground plan is still clear.

On the eastern side of Jebel Barkal is a free standing pinnacle of rock cracked from the sandstone cliff. The profile of the pinnacle resembles an uraeus, the protective cobra and symbol of the king. At the immediate base of the pinnacle is the Temple of Mut, dedicated to the Egyptian sky goddess and bride of Amoun. The structure is largely ruined save for two striking large columns with capitals carved in the image of the goddess Hathor. The sanctuary of the temple is actually carved into Jebel Barkal itself. On entering it, you are not only struck by the heat but also the graphic drawings.

On the southern side of Jebel Barkal is a small royal cemetery of around twenty pyramids.