Tours: The Bent Pyramid of Dahshur

Learn about the Bent Pyramid of .
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|-|Sneferu's Second Pyramid=
After the construction of the Meidum pyramid failed, Sneferu transferred his residence and the official necropolis to Dahshur. There he began construction on his second attempt at a funerary monument.
The resulting structure, known as the Bent Pyramid, is the only one of its shape in Egypt.
|-|A Design Transition=
Though the pyramid also proved unstable and was abandoned, it marked a technical and architectural breakthrough. Heralding an important design transition, the Bent Pyramid displays a shift from the step pyramid to a functional smooth-sided pyramid.
|-|Too Small for a Human=
The Bent Pyramid was unique in having two separate entrances; one on the northern face and another on the western face.
The chamber of this pyramid was too small for a human burial. It was probably meant for the burial of a statue designated to house the ka, the “vital spirit” of the deceased king.
|-|Experimental Construction=
With the Bent Pyramid, architects successfully experimented with a completely new idea: to build the pyramid with a core of huge stones settled on a progressive horizontal design.
This way, each construction phase could be completed in a single stage, allowing the architect complete control over every design element.
Unfortunately, these precautions did not prevent sagging or cracks in the interior rooms of the pyramid. Sneferu abandoned the monument, and began the construction of yet another pyramid.
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Category:Discovery Tour: Ancient Egypt