Ancient Egyptians - Red Pyramid
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Egyptian Pyramids and Tombs

Development of the Red Pyramid built for King Snefru
Learn about the history and the development of the Red Pyramid of King Snefru and the burial customs in ancient Egypt and the tombs of the pharaohs. The Red Pyramid of Snefru is also known as the North Pyramid.

Ancient Egypt - Red Pyramid Fact Sheet

Fact 1 on the Red Pyramid: The Red Pyramid was located at Dahshur, situated 50 km (31 miles) south of Cairo and was the third pyramid built by Snefru. Dahshur became the new location of the royal residence and its necropolis.

Fact 2 on the Red Pyramid: The first construction was the completion of the Meidum pyramid near Crocodilopolis in the Faiyum. The second construction was the 'Bent Pyramid' at Dahshur which was first attempt to construct a smooth-sided pyramid. The angle was too steep and resulted in the bent shape. 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 3 on the Red Pyramid: The building was located 4 km north of the bent pyramid.

Fact 4 on the Red Pyramid: Lessons were learned in respect of the construction and architecture of the 'Bent Pyramid' and King Snefru went on to build the Red Pyramid.

Fact 5 on the Red Pyramid: By the time it was completed, it would be the tallest man-made structure in the world. It remains the fourth highest ever built, only the great Giza pyramids were taller.

Fact 6 on the Red Pyramid: The ancient Egyptian architects designed the new monument from the start with the shallower angle of 43 degrees.

Fact 7 on the Red Pyramid: The stones on this structure were layered in horizontal lines, rather than in a slope and it was built on a broader base in order to spread the mass of the structure and avoid the problems encountered when building the previous 'Bent Pyramid'.

Fact 8 on the Red Pyramid: The great monument was originally enclosed with the gleaming white limestone from the Stone quarry at Tura.

Fact 9 on the Red Pyramid: However, the shallow slope made the white limestone a target for stone robbers who removed the covering and the oxidation process of the remaining limestone changed its color to red.

Fact 10 on the Red Pyramid: Some historians believe that Snefru was buried in this pyramid, although his mummy has never been found.

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Ancient Egypt - Red Pyramid Fact Sheet

Red 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.

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

Ancient Egypt - Red Pyramid Fact Sheet

Fact 11 on the Red Pyramid: Graffiti Inscriptions at the base of the structure and 30 courses of stones higher indicate the speed that the ancient Egyptians were able to build the pyramids.

Fact 12 on the Red Pyramid: Based on the graffiti it is estimated that it took just under 16 years to build the entire structure.

Fact 13 on the Red Pyramid: The 'Valley Temple', associated with such funerary complexes, has not yet been discovered and neither has a causeway (a raised roadway) from the temple to the monument been excavated.

Fact 14 on the Red Pyramid: Dimensions: The structure has over 150 layers of stone. The dimensions of the monument are:

Height from base to summit = 104 metres (343 feet)
Base = 220 metres (722 feet)

Fact 15 on the Red Pyramid: The is only one entrance to the chambers inside the structure.

Fact 16 on the Red Pyramid: The opening leads to a passageway measuring 206 feet which accesses 3 chambers.

Fact 17 on the Red Pyramid: The first chamber has a corbelled (stepped) ceiling with a height of 40 feet and leads to a second chamber that are both at ground level.

Fact 18 on the Red Pyramid: The third chamber is the burial chamber and is built about 25 feet above the first and second chambers and accessed by a passageway.

Fact 19 on the Red Pyramid: The dimensions of the burial chamber are:

Height = 50 feet
Size = 14 feet x 27 feet

Fact 20 on the Red Pyramid: King Snefru was succeeded by his son Khufu aka Cheops who would build one of the Seven Wonders of the World - the Great Pyramid of Cheops at Giza.

Ancient Egypt - Red Pyramid Fact Sheet