Dahshur

About

Dahshur is a large necropolis with three still-standing pyramids. Of these, two were built by King Sneferu around 2600 BC. Sneferu is responsible for perfecting the technique to make smooth-sided pyramids, which would be used by his some to erect the Great Pyramid at Giza. Sneferu’s first attempt, known as the ‘Bent Pyramid’, was ultimately a failure due to some engineering miscalculations - such as the mis-cut blocks that gave the pyramid its distinctive shape. However, Sneferu took what he learned to build the Red Pyramid - Egypt’s first smooth-sided pyramid. In later years, other pharaohs added their own pyramids, like the crumbling ‘Black Pyramid’, as well as noble tombs. A fascinating insight into the engineering that went into the Great Pyramid, visitors are also able to enter the burial chamber of the Red Pyramid, but be warned: it’s hot and cramped.