Red Pyramid

The Red Pyramid of Dahshur
Sneferu
Coordinates29°48′30″N 31°12′21″E / 29.80833°N 31.20583°E / 29.80833; 31.20583
Ancient name
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Ḫˁ Snfrw
Kha Sneferu
Probably "Sneferu Shines"[1]
"The Shining Pyramid"[2]
ConstructedFourth Dynasty
TypeTrue
MaterialLimestone
Height105 m (344 ft; 200 cu)[3]
Base220 m (722 ft; 420 cu)[3]
Volume1,694,000 m3 (2,216,000 cu yd)[4]
Slope43°22'[3]
Red Pyramid is located in Egypt
Red Pyramid
Location within Egypt

The Red Pyramid, also called the North Pyramid, is the largest of the pyramids located at the Dahshur necropolis in Cairo, Egypt. Named for the rusty reddish hue of its red limestone stones, it is also the third largest Egyptian pyramid, after those of Khufu and Khafre at Giza. It is also believed to be Egypt's first successful attempt at constructing a "true" smooth-sided pyramid. Local residents refer to the Red Pyramid as el-heram el-watwaat, meaning the Bat Pyramid.

The Red Pyramid was not always red. It used to be cased with white Tura limestone, but only a few of these stones now remain at the pyramid's base, at the corner. During the Middle Ages much of the white Tura limestone was taken for buildings in Cairo, revealing the red limestone beneath.

  1. ^ Verner 2001d, p. 183.
  2. ^ Lehner 2008, pp. 16–17.
  3. ^ a b c Lehner 2008, p. 17.
  4. ^ Bárta 2005, p. 180.