|
The
pyramid field of Dahshur lies about 10 km
south of Saqqara. The pyramids here include
the famed Bent and Red Pyramids built by
the 4th Dynasty king Senefru (father of Khufu,
builder of the Great Pyramid), as well as
the "White Pyramid" of Amenemhat
II, the pyramid of Senwosret II, and the "Black
Pyramid," built for Amenemhet III.
The
Bent Pyramid is the second of Sneferu's three
major pyramids. Originally designed to rise
at the angle of 52°, this was decreased
to 43.5° partway up, and a girdle was
built around the base, apparently because
the foundations were unstable and the angle
too steep for safety. The Red Pyramid, Seneferu's
third funerary monument, is the first successful
true (straight-sided) pyramid ever built.
A
number of undisturbed burials of Middle Kingdom
queens and princesses were found in the vicinity
of the pyramids of the 12th Dynasty here.
Most of this can now be seen in the Egyptian
Museum, Cairo, along with the pyramidion
from the pyramid of Amenemhat III.
HOURS OF
OPERATION:
Daily, 9 AM – 5 PM
TICKET
COST:
Egyptian: 2 LE
Foreign: 25 LE
50%
reduction for bearers of International
Student ID Card.
LOCATION:
Dahshur, south
of Saqqara
DIRECTIONS:
BY MINIBUS: Take
a bus or taxi to Pyramids Road, getting
off at Maryotteya Canal, and head down
to the canal, where there is a lot with
minibuses to Dahshur
BY
TAXI:
Ask for “mintaqat
dahshur”
FACILITIES:
There is a WC
at the site, and you may buy the basics
in the nearby town.
The
site is accessible by vehicle. The pyramids
themselves are not wheelchair accessible.
Guided
tours are not available.
|