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Bent Pyramid

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Summary

The Bent Pyramid was one of the earliest Ancient Egyptian pyramids to be built.

It was erected between 2600 and 2590 BC, at Dashur, the most southerly area of the Memphite Necropolis.

It was the second pyramid built by Pharaoh Sneferu, the founder of Egypt's Fourth Dynasty. His first, the Meidum Pyramid (c.2600 BC), became unstable and eventually suffered a serious collapse.

But Sneferu was determined to outshine his Third Dynasty predecessor - who had built the Step Pyramid of Djoser - so he started building a second pyramid at Dahshur.

Despite his initial failure at Meidum, Sneferu became an important pioneer of Ancient Egyptian architecture, and his perseverance helped Egypt to become the centre of ancient art throughout the known world.

See also: Ancient Egyptian Art (3000-30 BC).

Why is it called the Bent Pyramid?

Answer: Because the bottom half of the Bent Pyramid rises at an angle of 54 degrees, while the top half (above 47 metres) rises less steeply - at an angle of 43 degrees.

This change in the angle of incline, gives the pyramid a visibly 'bent' appearance.

According to Egyptologist Mark Lehner, Ancient Egyptians called it 'The Southern Shining One'.

This was partly due to its location at the southern extremity of Dahshur, and partly due to the fact that - unlike the other ninety pyramids in Egypt - its original super-white Tura limestone outer casing remained largely intact, causing it to gleam in the sunshine.

Is it in Good Condition?

Answer: Yes. The Bent Pyramid is the best preserved of all the pyramids. Which is rather paradoxical, since it suffered from several structural failures during its construction.

Who Built the Bent Pyramid?

Answer: Pharaoh Sneferu. He was a prolific builder and supporter of megalithic architecture, and initiated numerous construction projects, including the construction of three major pyramids.

His first attempt, the Meidum Pyramid, began as a step pyramid, then underwent several changes in its construction.

These alterations led to serious structural problems, which caused Sneferu to lose interest and start a new tomb - the Bent Pyramid - at Dahshur.

That said, some experts believe Sneferu's move to Dahshur indicates a break with the step-pyramid style in an effort to create a true pyramid.

In other words, it may have occurred before Meidum's structural defects became noticeable.

Does the Bent Pyramid Have Steps?

Answer: No. The Bent Pyramid is a true, smooth-sided pyramid. In fact, it was the first Ancient Egyptian pyramid to be built as a true pyramid from the outset, as both the Djoser and Meidum structures were intended to be step pyramids.

Sneferu also built a third pyramid, also with smooth sides, known as the Red Pyramid, which became his tomb and final resting place.

Why Did Sneferu Build a Third Pyramid?

Answer: Because the Bent Pyramid's change of angle made it look deformed. No pharaoh could be buried in such a monstrosity without losing face.

That said, it is possible that the upper 'bent' section was not completed until after the completion of the Red Pyramid.

If so, the decision to build the Red pyramid would have been simply due to worries that the Bent Pyramid was going to collapse.

How Did the Bent Pyramid Become Deformed?

Answer: Because of several miscalculations during construction.

Measurements of Bent Pyramid

Interior

The inside of the Bent Pyramid is exceptional because it has two separate groups of rooms and passages: the lower suite and upper suite.

The lower suite, which was built first, was accessed via an entrance on the north face; the upper suite via an entrance in the western face.

Evidence indicates that the lower suite was supposed to lead to a burial chamber, but the chamber was never built. For some reason, the idea of a lower chamber was abandoned in favour of the upper suite, which used a different entrance, located on the western face.

Ultimately, the two groups of rooms and passages were joined by a connecting tunnel. The passage from the west was then sealed off, and the pyramid was abandoned.

Pyramid Complex

The Bent Pyramid complex was enclosed by a high wall made out of local limestone. Within the enclosure, there is the main pyramid, a small satellite pyramid, and a small mortuary temple.

A causeway leads east from the complex to a 'valley temple' by the Nile.

Satellite Pyramid

There is a small satellite pyramid, made of thick limestone blocks, which stands about 50 metres to the south of the main pyramid.

This structure, with a height of 32 metres and a base of 53 metres, was probably based on the South Tomb in the complex of Netjerikhet at Saqqara.

It has a north face entrance which leads down, along, and finally up to a small 'burial chamber' with a corbelled roof.

The passage layout may have inspired Sneferu's son Khufu to build the Grand Gallery of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

As for the burial chamber itself, it was originally assumed to have been built for Sneferu's wife Hetepheres, but the room is too small for a royal sarcophagus. So most likely it was used as a venue for cult rituals.

Outside, there is a small shrine on the east face of the satellite pyramid, made up of an alabaster altar with two funerary stela inscribed with the names of Sneferu.

Interestingly, the small pyramid's exterior casing stones are in excellent condition, just like those of its parent.

Mortuary Temple

A small building, similar to the east chapel of the Meidum Pyramid, stands against the east face of the main pyramid.

Like the structure at Meidum, this building is too small to be a true Mortuary Temple. More likely it was a small offering chapel. Both it and its counterpart at Meidum contained two 10-metre high stela, together with an offering table.

Causeway

From the Northeast of the pyramid complex, a causeway runs away to the east.

Roughly 210 metres in length, it was originally paved with limestone blocks and had a low limestone wall on either side.

It leads to a rectangular stone temple-type structure, roughly 50 x 25 metres, situated about halfway to the Nile.

The structure is a mix of both Mortuary and Valley temple. It has the pillars, courtyard, and statues of later Mortuary temples, but its distant location is more reminiscent of a Valley Temple. See: Ancient Egyptian Temples (3000-30 BC).

The temple included statues of Sneferu wearing the crowns of Upper Egypt and Lower Egypt, as well as the Double Crown, symbolizing both.

There are also a series of relief sculptures on the walls showing the pharaoh accompanied by the gods and conducting ceremonies. These are the first known royal relief sculptures which were deliberately intended to be seen above ground.

There is probably a second causeway that leads to a landing stage by the Nile, but excavations have so far failed to find it.

Despite its numerous structures, the Bent Pyramid Complex did not house Sneferu's tomb. He was buried instead, in his third pyramid - the Red Pyramid - a few kilometres north.

Other Famous Pyramids

For details of other famous pyramidal structures built during the Bronze Age culture, not mentioned above, see the following:

NEXT: See Sumerian Art & Culture (4000-2000 BC).

References

(1) Alexanian, Nicole; Bebermeier, Wiebke; Blaschta, Dirk; Ramisch, Arne (2012). "The Pyramid Complexes and the Ancient Landscape of Dahshur/Egypt". ETopoi. Journal for Ancient Studies. 3: 131-133.
(2) Lehner, Mark (2008). The Complete Pyramids. New York: Thames & Hudson. ISBN 978-0-500-28547-3.
(3) Mendelssohn, Kurt (1974), The Riddle of the Pyramids, London: Thames & Hudson. ISBN-10. 0500050155.

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