Recently the Egyptians surprised everyone by officially announcing the opening of “Bent” Pyramid to the public for the first time ever.
The unique and attractive thing about this pyramid is, it was built around 2,600 BCE and is one of two pyramids built for Fourth Dynasty founding pharaoh, Sneferu.
As per the officials this 330-foot structure is an important example of early pyramid development, and denotes a key step in the evolution of pyramid construction.
The opening of Senefru’s Bent pyramid and the announcement of a new discovery consists of a collection of clay and wooden sarcophagi with mummies and funerary masks#egypt #egyptology #dahshurpyramid #news #newspapers #Media420 pic.twitter.com/2dkUtSC63K
— Ministry of Antiquities-Arab Republic of Egypt (@AntiquitiesOf) July 13, 2019
Along with the Bent pyramid, tourists will also be allowed to see the 60-foot “side pyramid”, which was possibly built to entomb Sneferu’s wife, Hetepheres.
The name of this pyramid is derived from its unusual shape which incorporates two separate angles of inclination. Its first 160 feet are built at a steep 54-degree angle while the top section tapers off at a shallower angle. The reason behind such construction was to avoid the instability which was noticed at the initial stage.
Mostafa Waziri, secretary-general of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, stated that part of the pyramid’s restoration work involved the installation of external and internal lighting systems, as well as wooden ramps and stairs to accommodate visitors.
The entrance will be on the pyramid’s northern face and tourists will be able to make their way down its narrow 260-foot passageway, which will take them to the two chambers.
During the inaugural event, Egypt’s Minister of Antiquities Khaled El-Enany also revealed that Bent Pyramid is located in the royal Dahshur Necropolis, and has been placed on the UNESCO’s world heritage list as part of the Memphis Necropolis that begins at Giza.
