Nubian pyramids were built by the rulers of the ancient Kushite kingdoms. The area of the Nile valley known as Nubia, which lies in the north of present-day Sudan, was home to three Kushite kingdoms during antiquity. The first had its capital at Kerma between 2500 and 1500 B.C. The second was centered on Napata between 1000 and 300 B.C. Finally, the last kingdom was centered on Meroe between 300 B.C. and A.D. 300. They are built of granite and sandstone. The pyramids were partially demolished by Italian treasure hunter Giuseppe Ferlini in the 1830's.