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Bent Pyramid
Monument at Dahshur · also called Bent Pyramid of Sneferu, Southern Shining Pyramid, Rhomboidal Pyramid, Blunted Pyramid
The Bent Pyramid has almost no writing on its walls; its hieroglyphs came from the valley temple below, where reliefs named Sneferu and his estates. Built around 2600 BC, it starts steep and changes to a gentler slope halfway up.
Sneferu's builders started at an angle of about 54 degrees and finished the top at about 43, probably after cracks appeared. The pyramid keeps more of its smooth white casing than any other in Egypt. It has two entrances, on the north and west sides, each leading to its own chamber, and a small satellite pyramid stands to the south.
Ahmed Fakhry excavated the valley temple in the 1950s. Its reliefs show offering bearers who stand for the king's estates, each labelled with the estate's name, many of them built on Sneferu's name. Stelae there carried his names and titles. These pieces are now in museums, so learn Sneferu's cartouche on site and look for it later.
What to see and read
The casing
Smooth limestone on the lower slopes shows how every pyramid once looked.
The change of angle
Stand at a corner to see the break in slope.
The interior
Long, low passages lead to high corbelled chambers, if they are open when you visit.
Names you can find here
Signs to look for
- Folded cloth S29s The folded cloth, s, starts the name Sneferu in his cartouche.
- Heart and windpipe F35nfr The heart and windpipe, nefer, is the core of Sneferu.
- Mouth D21r The mouth, r, follows nefer in the spelling of Sneferu.
- Basket V30nb The basket, neb, lord, starts his Horus name Nebmaat, "lord of Maat".
- Platform Aa11mꜣꜥ The platform writes maa in Nebmaat.
Reading the hieroglyphs here
- The passages are steep. Wear shoes with grip and keep both hands free.
- Photograph the casing in low light; midday sun flattens it.
- Sneferu's estate names are a good drill: each pairs his cartouche with a place word.
Point your camera at a wall Hiero Lens boxes the signs and names them, on your phone; nothing is uploaded. On worn stone, trace a sign over the photo.
Questions
Why is the Bent Pyramid bent?
Its builders lowered the angle partway up, probably because the structure showed signs of instability. The upper part is much gentler than the base.
Can you go inside the Bent Pyramid?
It opened to visitors in 2019 after restoration. Ask on site if it is open when you visit.
Also at Dahshur
Where it is
Open in OpenStreetMap · Written from published sources and not yet checked on site by our team: displays and open tombs change.