Ancient site · Giza
Bent Pyramid
Sneferu's Bent Pyramid at Dahshur, a unique stage in early pyramid building, recognisable by the slope that changes halfway up.
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The story
The Bent Pyramid stands in the royal necropolis of Dahshur, about 40 km south of Cairo, and was built by the Old Kingdom pharaoh Sneferu as the second of his four pyramids. Construction began at a steep angle, and about halfway up the builders switched to a shallower 43 degrees for the upper section, giving the pyramid its visibly bent profile. Sneferu then built the Red Pyramid nearby, drawing on the experience gained.
Good to know
- Its sides rise at about 54 degrees and change to 43 degrees above roughly 47 m.
- It is the second of Sneferu's four pyramids.