Ancient site · Faiyum
Seila Pyramid
A small pyramid, usually described as stepped, on a rocky outcrop between the Faiyum Oasis and the Nile Valley, one of a group of remote and little-known pyramids.
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The story
The Seila pyramid is one of a group of seven small, very similar pyramids, usually described as step pyramids, built far from Egypt's major centres, and very little is known about them. It stands on an outcrop between the Faiyum Oasis and the Nile Valley, about 6 km north of the motorway from Wasta to Faiyum. Builder's marks and inscriptions found there point to Sneferu, founder of the Fourth Dynasty, although some sources date it to the Third Dynasty. It was discovered by Flinders Petrie in 1889/1890 and revisited by Ludwig Borchardt in 1898.
Good to know
- It is one of seven small, closely similar pyramids built far from Egypt's major centres.
- Flinders Petrie discovered it in 1889/1890 and Borchardt revisited it in 1898.