Meidum Pyramid Beni Suef Egypt tours, prices, booking, reviews
Meidum Pyramid Beni Suef located 130 kilometer south of Cairo, Egypt. In fact, the pyramid was a seven-stepped pyramid. And then, it enlarged to an eight stepped pyramid. Eventually the steps filled in and a smooth outer facing turned it into a true pyramid. The pyramid stands on the desert’s edge and is the only structure in the vicinity. In fact, the pyramid is a huge structure which surrounded by the debris. The debris are from the casing which collapsed. In fact, the collapsing of the casing is uncertain. Some believe that the collapse was the cause for the change in the angle of the Bent Pyramid.
Others believe that it did not happen until the Roman times or the Middle Ages. In fact the distribution for the stresses calculated incorrectly. That is why it collapsed. The stress was outward instead of inward such as in the Pyramids at Giza. The foundation was not sound enough for this change. Moreover, the way the blocks laid was not well chosen. The four outer buttress walls gave way and the walls collapsed. In fact, Meidum Pyramid started by Huni, the last ruler of the third Dynasty. And then, it completed by his son, Sneferu (Snofru). Sneferu was the first 4th Dynasty pharaoh (2613 – 2494 BC).
Further details about Meidum Pyramid Beni Suef:
In fact, the original size of Meidum pyramid was 144 m square and 42 m high. Moreover, the entrance into the pyramid is on the north side up a 30m stairway. A passageway descends down 57 m to a level that is below the pyramid’s foundation. The passageway levels out and comes to a vertical shaft that leads up to the burial chamber. This chamber has a corbelled roof and the walls lined in limestone. The construction timbers are still visible in this room. Furthermore, the chamber is on the same level as the pyramid’s foundation.
Near Meidum Pyramid is a cemetery which contains some important and quite large mastabas. The most noted of these are the twin mastabas. They belong to Neferma’at and his wife Itet and Re’hotpe (Rahotep) and his wife Nofret. In the mastaba of Re’hotpe (Rahotep) were the found the statues of Re’hotpe and his wife. In fact, these statues are now in the Egyptian Museum. There is also a mastaba in the cemetery in which the entrance is the robbers’ passage. This chamber not decorated and is a little difficult to get through. Inside the huge blocks of stone which sealed the original entrance are still in place.
