Description: The Red Pyramid at Dashur also known as the Shining Pyramid, is one of three (or maybe even four) pyramids built by the great Pharaoh Snefru the first pharaoh of the 4th Dynasty, father of Khufu (supposed builder of the Great Pyramid), who reigned from 2575-2551 BC - in Egypt's Old Kingdom. It is the first true pyramid still remaining.
The Red Pyramid gets its name from the reddish or pinkish limestone, used in its casing stones. The total area of the structure is only slightly less than the Great Pyramid, but as the angle of inclination of its sides is much shallower (43 degrees 22''), it only reaches a height of 341 feet (104m).
The interior of the pyramid is quite interesting. The entrance is in its Northern face, as is common with nearly all pyramids in Egypt.
A descending passage takes you along about 80 metres before levelling out and opening out into two seperate underground chambers, connected by another short tunnel. Both of these chambers have magnificent corbelled roofs.
A further passageway, at a considerable height above the level of the floor, leads to a third chamber, with a corbelled roof that rises 50 feet into the body of the pyramid.
No trace of a burial has ever been found in this pyramid, the inside is completely uninscribed and therefore it is, to all intents and purposes, anonymous.
Pictures: http://guardians.net/egypt/red1.htm |
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