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Archaeology & History

Egypt opens unusual 'bent' pyramid to visitors

By T.K. Randall
July 14, 2019 · Comment icon 4 comments

The 'bent' pyramid has a rather unusual shape. Image Credit: CC BY 3.0 Ivrienen
The 4,600-year-old structure is thought to mark the transition between smooth and step-sided pyramids.
Built for the pharaoh Sneferu, the 'bent' pyramid is particularly unusual because it rises out of the desert at a 54-degree inclination but has a top section angled at 43 degrees.

Visitors had been unable to go inside since it was closed for restoration work in 1965, but now, more than 50 years later, the curious structure has finally been opened to the public once again.

The move also aims to bring more visitors to the Dahshur site around 30 miles south of Cairo.
Those who venture inside will have the opportunity to clamber down the pyramid's 79-meter-long entrance tunnel and in to its two main chambers. It is also now possible to visit the adjoining 'side pyramid' that archaeologists believe was built for Sneferu's wife Hetepheres.

"Sneferu lived a very long time... the architects wanted to reach the complete shape, the pyramid shape," said Dahshur site director Mohamed Shiha.

"Exactly where he was buried - we are not sure of that. Maybe in this [bent] pyramid, who knows?"

Source: The Guardian | Comments (4)




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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #1 Posted by mdbuilder 5 years ago
...or it was the work of a fast thinking [if miscalculating] engineer.
Comment icon #2 Posted by Not A Rockstar 5 years ago
LOL. "No, really, I meant it to turn out this way! You will have the only one that looks this AMAZING!"   
Comment icon #3 Posted by Seti42 5 years ago
Bob Ross called mistakes like the Bent Pyramid 'happy accidents'. Sounds a lot nicer than '**** ups'.
Comment icon #4 Posted by Jon the frog 5 years ago
These constructions are so massive !


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