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Red Pyramid

Monument at Dahshur · also called Red Pyramid of Sneferu, North Pyramid of Dahshur, Shining Pyramid

The Red Pyramid has no carved texts; its writing is builders' marks in red paint on some blocks, including dates in Sneferu's reign. Built for him around 2590 BC, it is the first true smooth-sided pyramid and probably his tomb.

After the Bent Pyramid, Sneferu's builders started again at the gentler angle of about 43 degrees. The result is the third largest pyramid in Egypt, after the two great ones at Giza. Its name comes from the reddish limestone of its core, bare now that the white casing is gone.

A long sloping passage from the north face leads down to two tall corbelled chambers, and steps climb into a third, the probable burial chamber. Pyramid Texts came only some two centuries later, at Saqqara. Scholars use the painted dates on the blocks to estimate how fast the pyramid rose.

What to see and read

Corbelled chambers

Three high rooms with stepped ceilings, reached by a long, low passage.

Reconstructed capstone

A pyramidion on the east side lets you see the top of a pyramid up close.

Builders' marks

Red paint marks survive on some blocks; most are out of view.

Names you can find here

Signs to look for

  1. Folded cloth S29s The folded cloth, s, starts the name Sneferu in his cartouche.
  2. Heart and windpipe F35nfr Nefer, the heart and windpipe, is the core of Sneferu's name.
  3. Cartouche V10 Sneferu was one of the first kings to write his name regularly in a cartouche.
  4. Sun rising over a hill N28ḫꜥ The sun rising over a hill writes kha, probably in the pyramid's ancient name, "Sneferu shines".

Reading the hieroglyphs here

  • The passage is long and low, and the air inside smells sharply of ammonia.
  • The chambers are dark. Use a small torch and steady your hands for sharp photos.

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 it called the Red Pyramid?

From the reddish limestone of its core. The white casing that once covered it was removed long ago.

Can you go inside the Red Pyramid?

It has been open to visitors by a passage on the north side. Check on site if it is open when you visit.

Also at Dahshur

Monument

Bent 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.

Where it is

Open in OpenStreetMap · Written from published sources and not yet checked on site by our team: displays and open tombs change.