Introduction

Egypt has been known as a country pyramids. Generally, Pyramids refer to the huge triangle monuments specifically associated with funerary practices of ancient people. But, some experts describe their astronomical values as well. In Latin America also, pyramids can be seen. In Egypt, pyramids are numerous in number.

Pharaoh Sneferu

Sneferu was a pharaoh of ancient Egypt. He is an important character. Because he founded the Fourth dynasty. It belonged to the Old Kingdom Period. The time frame of this period was between 2686 – 2181 BCE. The popular name of Sneferu is ‘Soris’. It is a Greek version of his original name.

Location of the Pyramid

The location of the Red Pyramid of Sneferu is at Dashur Necropolis. Its location is on the west bank of the Nile and south of Cairo, the capital of Egypt. Dashur is a burial complex of the Old and Middle Kingdom Period. It is one of the best-preserved burial ground in Egypt.

The Red Pyramid

There are three major pyramids at the Dashur Necropolis. The Red Pyramid of Sneferu is the largest among them. There is another name for this pyramid. It is the ‘ North Pyramid’.

The ‘Red’ Colour of the Pyramid

The name Red Pyramid’ comes from the colour of the pyramid itself. Because its main raw material is red limestones. Although its name is the Red Pyramid, it was not always red in colour.

A layer of white Tura limestone was there on the upper surface of the body of the pyramid. Somehow, with the time, it disintegrated. Thus, the underneath red limestone came out and it created a reddish hue.

The Significance of the Red Pyramid

The Red pyramid is most significant from the viewpoint of its architectural value. Because it, somehow, represents the first successful attempt to constructing a proper ‘smooth-sided’ pyramid. It is also the third-largest pyramid in Egypt after the pyramids of Khufu and Khafre at Giza Complex.

The Pyramidion or Capstone

There is a pyramidion or capstone of the Red pyramid at Dashur. But, archaeologists are not clear about the facts whether it was really used or not for its actual purpose.

The Burial Chamber

There are three chambers inside the pyramid. The third and last chamber is the main burial chamber. It has a corbelled roof of fifty feet high.

The Present Condition

The Red Pyramid of Sneferu has been closed for a long time. Because there is an army camp nearby. But, presently, it is open for tourist visits. For the convenience of the tourists, the authority has installed ventilation pipes for airing the inner chambers of the pyramid and a large wooden staircase inside the pyramid.