Bent Pyramid

Bent Pyramid
Photograph of a pyramid
Sneferu's bent pyramid at Dahshur, an early experiment in true pyramid building
Sneferu
Coordinates29°47′25″N 31°12′33″E / 29.79028°N 31.20917°E / 29.79028; 31.20917
Ancient name
<
S29F35D21G43
>N28O24M24
or
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S29F35D21G43
>N28O24O24

Ḫˁ Snfrw
Kha Sneferu
"Sneferu Shines"[1]
"The Southern Shining Pyramid"[2]
Constructedc. 2600 BC (4th dynasty)
TypeBent pyramid
MaterialLimestone
Height
  • 104.71 metres (344 ft; 200 cu)[3]
  • 47.04 metres (154 ft; 90 cu) beneath bend[3]
  • 57.67 metres (189 ft; 110 cu) above bend[3]
Base
  • 189.43 metres (621 ft; 362 cu) at base[3]
  • 123.58 metres (405 ft; 236 cu) at bend[3]
Volume1,237,040 cubic metres (43,685,655 cu ft)[2]
Slope
  • 54°27′44″ below bend
  • 43°22′ above bend[2]
Bent Pyramid is located in Egypt
Bent Pyramid
Location within Egypt

The Bent Pyramid is an ancient Egyptian pyramid located at the royal necropolis of Dahshur, approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of Cairo, built under the Old Kingdom Pharaoh Sneferu (c. 2600 BC). A unique example of early pyramid development in Egypt, this was the second of four pyramids built by Sneferu.

The Bent Pyramid rises from the desert at a 54-degree inclination, but the top section (above 47 metres [154 ft]) is built at the shallower angle of 43 degrees, lending the pyramid a visibly "bent" appearance.[4]

  1. ^ Verner 2001d, p. 174.
  2. ^ a b c Lehner 2008, p. 17.
  3. ^ a b c d e Verner 2001d, p. 462.
  4. ^ Verner, Miroslav, The Pyramids - Their Archaeology and History, Atlantic Books, 2001, [ISBN missing]