Ancient Egyptians - Meidum pyramid
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Egyptian Pyramids and Tombs

Development of the Meidum pyramid built for King Huni
Learn about the history and the development of the Meidum pyramid of King Huni that was completed by his successor King Snefru and burial customs in ancient Egypt and the tombs of the pharaohs. The design of the Meidum pyramid was 'stepped' or tiered but it was covered with one uniform slope of masonry with a smooth, angled finish making it the first true pyramid.

Facts about the Meidum Pyramid
The plan of the pyramid consists of three parts: the chapel (or temple), the passage, and the sepulchral vault (burial chamber). The temple is always separate and contained chambers, courts, and passages where ceremonies were conducted and offerings were made. The pyramid itself only contained the passages and sepulchral vault. Learn about the ancient pyramids of Egypt, and the tombs of the pharaohs, the fast and easy way via the Meidum Pyramid Fact sheet.

Ancient Egypt - Meidum pyramid Fact Sheet

Fact 1 on Meidum pyramid: The architectural design the Meidum pyramid followed the 'step' or 'tiered' method of construction. The  Step pyramid at Saqqara was its forerunner and had begun as a traditional, flat-roofed Mastaba Tomb. The Step pyramid at Saqqara had six distinct tiers and consisted of three parts: the chapel, the passage, and the sepulchral vault.

King Djoser's Step pyramid at Saqqara

Fact 2 on Meidum pyramid: The architectural design the Meidum pyramid followed the 'step' or 'tiered' method of construction pioneered in the Djoser Step Pyramid. The new style differed when the ancient Egyptian architects decided to attempt to fill in the steps with a smooth straight casing of limestone.

Fact 3 on Meidum pyramid: The Huni monument was constructed at Meidum, on the edge of the Faiyum, near Crocodilopolis (see map below). The king broke with tradition by moving the royal cemetery of the kings 90 kilometers (55 miles) to the south from the Saqqara area.

Fact 4 on Meidum pyramid: It was constructed using a square floor plan and was covered with limestone from the Stone quarry at Tura.

Fact 5 on Meidum pyramid: It was the first true pyramid. A coating was added to every step. This process, was repeated seven times, resulting in a high stepped mass of masonry which, for the first time, was now covered with one uniform slope of masonry from base to top resulting in a true pyramid.

Fact 6 on Meidum pyramid: Only three steps remain, as the limestone covering collapsed during the period known as the New Kingdom.

Fact 7 on Meidum pyramid: The burial chamber was unusual as it was entered via a vertical shaft in the floor - see the plan below.

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Ancient Egypt - Meidum pyramid Fact Sheet

Meidum pyramid of Huni
Discover fast, interesting fun facts about the Meidum 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 Meidum monument for kids and the history, culture and civilisation of the ancient Egyptians and ancient Egypt. Interesting, fun facts about the Meidum monument for research, schools, students and kids of all ages.

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

Meidum Passage

Ancient Egypt - Meidum Fact Sheet

Fact 8 on Meidum pyramid: It was constructed during the 28th century BC and was investigated by Napoleon's Expedition in 1799. It was excavated by John Shae Perring in 1837, Lepsius in 1843 and then by Flinders Petrie who established the original design dimensions and proportions.

Fact 9 on Meidum pyramid: The above picture shows the steep descending passage. It is  57 metres (187 feet) long and leads to a horizontal passage connected to a vertical shaft 10 metres (32 feet) high that leads to the burial chamber.

Fact 10 on Meidum pyramid: The burial chamber measures 5.9 x 2.65 m (height: 5.05 m) with its walls lined in white limestone tiles. The burial chamber had a corbelled roof, composed of seven steps.

Fact 11 on Meidum pyramid: Dimensions: The dimensions of the monument are:

Height of ruins = 65 metres (213 ft)
From base to summit = 93.5 metres (307 ft)
Base = 144 metres (472 ft)

Fact 12 on Meidum pyramid: The angle obtained by filling in the steps gradually decreases with each successive step, from about 52° at the base to about 47° for the uppermost step.

Fact 13 on Meidum pyramid: The area around the monumental tomb became a massive funeral complex in honor of King Huni and was originally surrounded by a wall that was over 10 meters high (33 feet) and measured 236 x 218 m.

Fact 14 on Meidum pyramid: The complex wall was surrounded by a trench to make entry into the complex difficult.

Fact 15 on Meidum pyramid: The limestone was polished creating a gleaming monument.

Fact 16 on Meidum pyramid: The construction initiated by Pharaoh Huni was never completed during his lifetime. It was finished by his son and successor – King Snefru.

Ancient Egypt - Meidum Fact Sheet