Hidden Marvels of Dahshur, Egypt

Hidden Marvels of Dahshur, Egypt

May 1, 2023 0 By Charm San

Dahshur is a small village located about 40 kilometers south of Cairo, Egypt. It is an ancient archaeological site that is famous for its pyramids and rich history. In this travel blog, we will explore the must-see places, interesting facts, and history of Dahshur.

Must-See Places in Dahshur:

  • Red Pyramid – The Red Pyramid is one of the most well-preserved pyramids in Egypt. It was built during the reign of Pharaoh Sneferu and is the third largest pyramid in Egypt.

Red Pyramid

  • Bent Pyramid – The Bent Pyramid is another pyramid built by Pharaoh Sneferu. It is called the Bent Pyramid because of its unique shape, which changes angle about halfway up.

Bent Pyramid

  • Dahshur Pyramid Field – The Dahshur Pyramid Field is a collection of pyramids, including the Red and Bent Pyramids. It is an incredible sight to see these ancient structures standing tall in the middle of the desert.
  • Mastaba of Ptahhotep – The Mastaba of Ptahhotep is a tomb that dates back to the Fifth Dynasty. It is decorated with intricate hieroglyphics and offers a fascinating look into the life of an ancient Egyptian nobleman.

Interesting Facts about Dahshur:

  1. Dahshur is home to some of the oldest pyramids in Egypt, with some dating back to over 4,500 years ago.
  2. The Red Pyramid is the first true pyramid built in Egypt and served as a model for later pyramids.
  3. The Bent Pyramid was originally built at a steep angle but was later changed to a shallower angle due to structural issues.
  4. The Mastaba of Ptahhotep is famous for its inscriptions, which offer insight into the daily life and customs of ancient Egypt.

History of Dahshur:

Dahshur has a long and rich history that dates back to ancient Egypt. It was an important site for the construction of pyramids during the Old Kingdom period, with many pharaohs choosing to build their pyramids here.

Pharaoh Sneferu was one of the most important pharaohs to rule during this time and was responsible for the construction of both the Red and Bent Pyramids. He is often credited with perfecting the art of pyramid building and is considered one of the greatest pharaohs in Egyptian history.

After the Old Kingdom period, Dahshur was largely abandoned, and the pyramids fell into disrepair. It wasn’t until the 19th century that archaeologists began excavating the site and uncovering the rich history of this once great city.

In conclusion, Dahshur is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in ancient Egyptian history and culture. The pyramids and tombs offer a fascinating look into the lives of the pharaohs and their people, and the rich history of this site is sure to leave a lasting impression on any traveler.

Pick up 8 am – Duration 6 – 7 hours- See Sakkara Step Pyramid on this private guided tour from  Cairo. Visit the first Egyptian capital, Memphis, and visit the Bent and the Red Pyramids in  Dahshur.

Here are some more interesting facts about the Red Pyramid:

  1. The Red Pyramid gets its name from the red limestone that was used to construct it. The limestone was quarried locally and gave the pyramid its distinctive reddish hue.
  2. The Red Pyramid was originally known as the “North Pyramid” but was later renamed by 19th-century archaeologists due to the color of the limestone.
  3. The Red Pyramid is the third-largest pyramid in Egypt, with a height of approximately 104 meters (341 feet). It is smaller than the Great Pyramid of Giza and the Pyramid of Khafre, but still an impressive feat of engineering.
  4. The Red Pyramid was built by Pharaoh Sneferu, who ruled during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. It is believed to have been completed around 2600 BCE.
  5. The Red Pyramid was the first pyramid in Egypt to have a smooth-sided design. This was a significant departure from the stepped pyramid design that had been used previously.
  6. The Red Pyramid was constructed using an estimated 160,000 tons of limestone blocks, each weighing several tons. It took around 17 years to complete.
  7. The Red Pyramid is unique among Egyptian pyramids in that it has two entrances. One entrance leads to a descending corridor that eventually leads to the burial chamber, while the other entrance was used for ceremonial purposes.
  8. The interior of the Red Pyramid is relatively simple compared to other Egyptian pyramids. It consists of a single burial chamber with a granite sarcophagus.
  9. The Red Pyramid was one of the few pyramids in Egypt that was open to visitors in ancient times. It was a popular destination for pilgrims and tourists, and many inscriptions and graffiti can be found on the walls of the pyramid.

Overall, the Red Pyramid is a fascinating structure with a rich history and many unique features. It is definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in ancient Egyptian architecture and engineering.

Here are some more interesting facts about the Bent Pyramid:

  1. The Bent Pyramid was built by Pharaoh Sneferu, who is considered to be one of the greatest pyramid builders in ancient Egypt.
  2. The Bent Pyramid is located in Dahshur, which was a significant site for pyramid construction during the Old Kingdom period.
  3. The Bent Pyramid was originally built at a steep angle of around 54 degrees, but was later modified to a shallower angle of approximately 43 degrees due to concerns about its stability.
  4. The Bent Pyramid gets its name from its unusual shape, which changes angle about halfway up. The lower part of the pyramid has a steep angle, while the upper part has a shallower angle.
  5. The Bent Pyramid is the second pyramid built by Pharaoh Sneferu at Dahshur, with the Red Pyramid being the first.
  6. The Bent Pyramid is smaller than the Red Pyramid, with a height of around 101 meters (332 feet). It is still an impressive structure, however, and is one of the best-preserved pyramids in Egypt.
  7. The interior of the Bent Pyramid is relatively simple compared to other pyramids in Egypt. It consists of two chambers, one above the other, and a long corridor that leads to the burial chamber.
  8. The Bent Pyramid was not open to the public for many years due to concerns about its stability. However, it was recently reopened to visitors after extensive restoration work was carried out.
  9. The Bent Pyramid is believed to have been completed around 2600 BCE, during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom.
  10. The Bent Pyramid is unique among Egyptian pyramids in that it has a sloping entrance passage, rather than a vertical one. This is thought to have been an early attempt to address the structural issues that plagued many of the earlier pyramids.

Overall, the Bent Pyramid is a fascinating structure with a unique shape and rich history. It is definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in ancient Egyptian architecture and engineering.