The little-known "broken" Egyptian pyramid in Dakhshur

Do you know that just 30 kilometers south of the world famous Egyptian pyramids of Menkaur, Chefren and Cheops there is another, very unusual shape? Surely not. Meanwhile, this is one of the most unusual pyramids of ancient Egypt.

Dakhshur, the name of this area, is the necropolis of the Egyptian pharaohs of the Ancient and Middle Kingdoms. However, until 1996, he and his pyramids were practically unknown outside archaeological circles, since they were located on the territory of the military base of the Egyptian army. Now the royal necropolis is available for ordinary tourists.

Scientists consider the year of foundation of the necropolis 2589 BC. The most curious pyramid of Dakhshur is the Broken Pyramid, which has a very special look. The fact is that at first they began to build the pyramid at a too steep angle, 54 degrees, and the architects realized this already closer to the top. Therefore, in order to avoid destruction of the structure, the upper half of the structure, it was decided to complete at a safer angle of 43 degrees. Learning from mistakes, subsequently nearby was built the Pink Pyramid, which eventually became a model.

Researchers believe that it was the Broken Pyramid that was the first Egyptian pyramid that they planned to make initially with flat faces. Almost all the other pyramids in the country were built at first stepwise, and only then they were filled with mortar to give the correct shape and make the edges smooth.

Dakhshur is not yet as popular as Giza, so there are much fewer tourists here. In total, there are 7 pyramids here: one tomb of the XII dynasty, two pyramids of the IV dynasty, two - XII and the same number of XIII dynasty. It is noteworthy that one of the pyramids was never completed, thanks to which we can see firsthand the construction technique of these unique ancient structures.