Ancient Egyptians - Bent Pyramid
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Egyptian Pyramids and Tombs

Development of the Bent Pyramid built for King Snefru
Learn about the history and the development of the Bent Pyramid of King Snefru and the burial customs in ancient Egypt and the tombs of the pharaohs. The Bent Pyramid was designed to have smooth sides but the steep angle of the lower part of the structure became unstable so that the upper part was built with a shallower angle giving the monument its 'bent' appearance. When it was constructed it was the tallest building in the world. This funerary complex was the first to feature a 'Valley Temple'.

The Bent Pyramid of Snefru

Ancient Egypt - Bent Pyramid Fact Sheet

Fact 1 on the Bent Pyramid: The Bent Pyramid was located at Dahshur, situated 50 km (31 miles) south of Cairo and was the second pyramid built by Sneferu.

Fact 1 on the Bent Pyramid: The first construction was the completion of the Meidum pyramid near Crocodopolis in the Faiyum that had been started by his father, Pharaoh Huni, but never completed.

Fact 2 on the Bent Pyramid: Dahshur would become the new location of the royal necropolis, and was the first attempt at a smooth sided pyramid. It was built c2600 BC.

Fact 3 on the Bent Pyramid: The great monument was designed to have very steep sides. But during its construction the monument became unstable due to the steep slope of the building.

Fact 4 on the Bent Pyramid: The ancient Egyptian architects therefore changed the angle of the monument halfway through its construction resulting in its 'bent' shape.

Fact 5 on the Bent Pyramid: The slope of the lower part of the Bent pyramid had a 55-degree inclination, but the top section was built at the shallower angle of 43 degrees.

Fact 6 on the Bent Pyramid: The great monument was enclosed with the white limestone from the Stone quarry at Tura.

Fact 7 on the Bent Pyramid: The gleaming white construction was referred to in ancient Times as "Southern Shining Pyramid". It is the fourth tallest pyramid in Egypt.

Fact 8 on the Bent Pyramid: John Perring scientifically explored the monument in 1839. He explored the inside of the pyramid and penetrated the upper passage and chamber. Flinders Petrie also explored the structure in 1882.

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Ancient Egypt - Bent Pyramid Fact Sheet

The Bent Pyramid

4th Dynasty

Name - Dates of Reign

King Snefru - 2575–2551 BC

King Djedefre aka Radjedef - 2528–2520 BC

King Menkaure aka Mycerinus - 2490–2472 BC

Succession of the Kings

Bent Pyramid of Snefru
Discover fast, interesting fun facts about the bent Snefru monument for kids with some amazing, cool and quick information about ancient Egypt and Egyptians. Ideal for children, homework, schools, teachers and kids of all ages! Find fascinating fun facts about the bent Snefru monument for kids and the history, culture and civilisation of the ancient Egyptians and ancient Egypt. Interesting, fun facts about the bent Snefru monument for research, schools, students and kids of all ages.

Bent Pyramid of Snefru
Learn about the ancient pyramids of Egypt, and the tombs of the pharaohs, the fast and easy way via the Bent Pyramid Fact sheet.

Ancient Egypt - Bent Pyramid Fact Sheet

Fact 9 on the Bent Pyramid: A 'Valley Temple' was built as part and on the lowest end of the pyramid complex and led to the River Nile. The 'Valley Temple' was a site of worship and the starting point of the funeral ceremonies and rituals.

Fact 10 on the Bent Pyramid: The Valley Temple consisted of an entrance passageway, an open courtyard and an inner sanctuary fronted by ten square columns behind which were six alcoves in which stood statues of Snefru.

Fact 11 on the Bent Pyramid: The Bent Pyramid complex is the first with a Valley Temple, which became a standard feature for all the following complexes.

Fact 12 on the Bent Pyramid: The funeral complex was accessed via a causeway (a raised roadway) that ran down to a Valley Temple. The causeway was paved with limestone and had a low wall built on each side, again made of limestone.

Fact 13 on the Bent Pyramid: The causeway led to the main complex that was surrounded by a high wall and consisted of:

The Pyramid
The Eastern Temple (east side of the complex)
The Queen's pyramid
The offering altar, in front of the queen's monument

Fact 14 on the Bent Pyramid: The area around the monumental tomb was therefore a massive funeral complex in honor of King Snefru and was originally surrounded by a wall that was over 10 meters high (33 feet).

Fact 15 on the Bent Pyramid: On the south side of the complex there is a much smaller, subsidiary pyramidal structure, commonly known as a Queen's Pyramid, although it was not intended to house the burial chamber of the queen. The purpose of the structure is unclear but rituals and offerings were made at the front of the building.

Fact 16 on the Bent Pyramid: Dimensions: The dimensions of the monument are:

Height of ruins from base to summit = 104.71 metres
Height of lower part = 47.04 metres
Height of upper part = 57.67 metres
Base = 189.43 metres

Fact 17 on the Bent Pyramid: The are are two entrances to the chambers inside the structure, a steep northern entrance and passage, about 12 meters from the ground level, and a shallower western entrance and passage about 65 meters from the ground level.

Fact 18 on the Bent Pyramid: Each opening leads to a separate set of passageways and chambers.

Fact 19 on the Bent Pyramid: The northern entrance and passage leads to a narrow antechamber with an corbelled roof with a height of 41 feet.

Fact 20 on the Bent Pyramid: The western entrance passage was protected by two portcullis stone blocks that were slid down 45° ramps to block the passage that led to the burial chamber with a height of 57 feet.

Fact 21 on the Bent Pyramid: The limestone was polished creating a gleaming monument.

Fact 22 on the Bent Pyramid: Lessons were learned in respect of the construction and architecture and King Snefru went on to build the Red Pyramid.

Ancient Egypt - Bent Pyramid Fact Sheet