The Bent Pyramid: A Captivating Visit To Dahshur In Egypt
Also known as the Rhomboidal or Blunted Pyramid) is the most significant ancient Egyptian pyramid ever built. It was built by Sneferu, who was the first king of the 4th dynasty of Egypt. He ruled from 2613 BC to 2589 BC. The Pyramid is located at Dahshur, just south-west of Cairo. It is considered to be the world’s oldest true smooth-sided pyramid (all other smooth-sided pyramids are later).
The Bent Pyramid has a square base and four steps, with each step being slightly more than one third of its height. At its completion, it would have been about 71 meters tall – making it about half as high as a modern day skyscraper! The sides are also very steep, with an angle at the top corner of 53 degrees (the same angle as modern day skyscurgers). This makes it easier for builders to work on such steep angles without having to worry about them collapsing under their own weight.
History of the Pyramid
The Bent Pyramid is one of the most iconic structures in Egypt. It is believed to have been built around 2600 BC for the Pharaoh Sneferu. The pyramid gets its name from the fact that its upper section is bent, creating an angle of 54 degrees. This is in contrast to the more well-known Pyramids of Giza, which have an angle of 51 degrees.
The reason for the Bent Pyramid’s unusual shape is not known for sure, but there are several theories. One theory is that the builders ran into problems during construction and had to change the angle of the pyramid halfway through. Another theory is that the bent shape was intentional, and was meant to symbolize the rays of the sun.
Whatever the reason for its shape, the Bent Pyramid is a fascinating structure that continues to puzzle archaeologists and historians today. If you find yourself in Egypt, a visit to Dahshur to see this unique pyramid is definitely worth your time!
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