Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Like us on Facebook
Curiosmos
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists
No Result
View All Result
Curiosmos
No Result
View All Result

The Mysteries of Sneferu’s Bent Pyramid

Ivan PetricevicbyIvan Petricevic
November 2, 2022 - Updated on January 20, 2024
in Ancient Civilizations
An image of the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur, and people circled in red standing next to the pyramid. Shutterstock

An image of the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur, and people circled in red standing next to the pyramid. Shutterstock

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Of all the ancient Egyptian pyramids, none is as mysterious and unique as the Bent Pyramid. Believed to have been built by the greatest Pyramid builder ever, Pharaoh Sneferu, the structure is by far the most distinctive pyramid in Egypt. Many people will refer to the Bent pyramid as an experimental pyramid or as a failed one. Nevertheless, we cannot refer to it as a failed structure. Sneferus Bent pyramid, also known as the “Southern Shinning Pyramid,” had a base length of 188 meters and a height of 105 meters.

Pyramid building was still an experimental activity when Pharoah Sneferu abandoned his step pyramid at Meidum, moving north to Dahshur. The builders didn’t have clear “blueprints” to follow. In the reign of Sneferu, there was a significant amount of experimentation. Perhaps this was comparable to the time when Djoser’s architect Imhotep built the first pyramid in the Third Dynasty.

The bending in the bent pyramid

The most unique feature of Sneferu’s pyramid is its bend. Previous step pyramids had faces that sloped to anywhere between 72 and 78 degrees. This was too steep for a true pyramid. It appears that the Bent pyramid started out as a smaller pyramid, with a slope of around sixty degrees, as evidenced by its core. The pyramid, however, suffered structural problems, and emergency measures were taken to save it. As a result, an additional girdle was added to the stump of the pyramid, giving it its slope of 55 degrees.

As the pyramid was originally constructed, the stones were laid sloping inwards according to the traditional method. The builders, however, appeared to be faced with more structural challenges despite this reduced angle. As the builders reached halfway up, they began setting the courses horizontally. It had finally become clear to the builders that the upward-leaning courses added stress to the structure instead of adding stability.

Related Posts

An aerial view of the Sacred Well. Depositphotos.

A 3,500-Year-Old Sacred Well That Defies Explanation

January 12, 2023
The ancient calendars that predicted the end of worlds. The ancient Maya pyramid of Chichen Itza at sunset. Depositphotos.

10 Intriguing Facts About the Ancient Maya Civilization

April 7, 2023 - Updated on January 20, 2024

This resulted in the pyramid’s slope decreasing from 45 degrees to 43 degrees as the builders built it. The bend in the Bent Pyramid is a result of this change.

Larger stones

This pyramid is not only unique because of its bend, but it also has a few other characteristics. In comparison to the stones used in the construction of the 3rd dynasty pyramids, both core stones and casing stones are much larger. According to archeological studies, the architects of the pyramid were not concerned with how the internal masonry was constructed. Building materials such as limestone debris and tafla were used to fill the spaces between the stones. During this time, ancient Egyptians became more and more reliant on gypsum mortar. In contrast to desert mortar clay, this one required special preparation with fuel. The structural problems in the pyramid were caused by a lack of good mortar, poorly laid bricks, and an unstable desert surface.


Have something to add? Visit Curiosmos on Facebook. Join the discussion in our mobile Telegram group. 

Share157Tweet98Share27ShareSend
Ivan Petricevic

Ivan Petricevic

I've been writing passionately about ancient civilizations, history, alien life, and various other subjects for more than eight years. You may have seen me appear on Discovery Channel's What On Earth series, History Channel's Ancient Aliens, and Gaia's Ancient Civilizations among others.

Related Posts

A Giant’s Sword? The Norimitsu Odachi, a 4-Meter-Long Ancient Sword
Ancient Civilizations

A Giant’s Sword? The Norimitsu Odachi, a 4-Meter-Long Ancient Sword

April 10, 2019 - Updated on January 22, 2024
Ram in the Thicket and sunrise rituals in ancient Ur
Ancient Civilizations

Ram in the Thicket and sunrise rituals in ancient Ur

May 27, 2025
A menhir from the Neolithic
Ancient Civilizations

7,000-Year-Old “Treasure” Discovered by Experts

August 21, 2024
Ancient Egyptian Papyrus. Shutterstock.
Ancient Civilizations

5 History-Changing Ancient Papyri Discovered in Egypt

July 16, 2019 - Updated on January 22, 2024
A photograph of the Great Pyramid at sunrise. Shutterstock_
Ancient Civilizations

Did The Great Pyramid Shine “Like a Star” 4,500 Years Ago?

November 14, 2022 - Updated on January 20, 2024
An illustration of Kukulkan, the feathered serpent
Ancient Civilizations

10 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Kukulkan—The Feathered Serpent

April 21, 2021 - Updated on January 8, 2025
  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Fair Use Notice
  • DMCA / Removal
  • Impressum
  • Contact
  • Fact-Checking Policy
  • Ethics Policy
  • Ownership and Funding Information
  • Impressum
CURIOSMOS.COM

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Unsolved Mysteries
  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Cosmic Phenomena
  • Alien Theories
  • Curious Lists