Bent Pyramid Dahshur Cairo Egypt tours, booking, prices
Bent Pyramid Dahshur is an ancient Egyptian pyramid which located at the royal necropolis of Dahshur. In fact, the Bent Pyramid of Dahshur is 40 kilometers south of Cairo. The pyramid built under the Old Kingdom Pharaoh Sneferu 2600 BC. Moreover, it indeed is a unique example of early pyramid development in Egypt. The pyramid was the second pyramid which built by Sneferu. Furthermore, the Bent Pyramid rises from the desert at a 54 degree inclination. The top section built at the shallower angle of 43 degrees. In fact, the Bent Pyramid Dahshur has ‘bent’ appearance. The Pyramid represents a transitional form between step-sided and smooth sided pyramids .
Moreover, the structure maybe begun to show signs of instability during construction. In fact, it was due to the steepness of the original angle of inclination. Furthermore, it forced the builders to adopt a shallower angle to avert the structure’s collapse. This theory based on that the adjacent Red Pyramid constructed at an angle of 43 degrees from its base. Red Pyramid built afterwards by the same Pharaoh. It contradicts the theory that at the initial angle the construction would take too long. It was because Sneferu’s death was nearing. That is why the builders changed the angle to complete the construction in time. The change of the angle made as a security precaution. It was reaction to a collapse of Meidum Pyramid while it was under construction.
Further details about the Bent Pyramid Dahshur:
In fact, this theory suggested by Kurt Mendelssohn in 1974. Plan and elevation images of the Bent Pyramid Dahshur taken from a 3 dimension model. It is also unique among the ninety pyramids in Egypt. Its original polished limestone outer casing remains largely intact. Peter James was a British structural engineer. He attributes this to larger clearances between casing parts than used in later pyramids. These imperfections would work as expansion joints. They prevent the successive destruction of the outer casing by thermal expansion. The Pyramid has two entrances. The first one is low down on the north side. It is a large wooden stairway. It has built for the convenience of tourists. The second entrance is high on the west face of the pyramid. In fact, each entrance leads to a chamber with a high, cor-belled roof.
The northern entrance of the Bent Pyramid Dahshur leads to a chamber. The chamber located below the ground level. The western entrance leads to a chamber built in the body of the pyramid itself. There is a hole in the roof of the northern chamber. It leads via a rough connecting passage to the passage from the western entrance. It accessed today by a high and rickety ladder 15 m (50 ft) long. The western entrance passage blocked by two stone blocks. They were not lowered vertically as in other pyramids. They slid down 45° ramps to block the passage. One of these lowered in antiquity. A hole has cut through it. The other remains propped up by a piece of ancient cedar wood. The connecting passage referenced above enters the passage between the two portcullises.
