Dahshur

Dahshur is an ancient royal necropolis on the desert plain south of Saqqara and part of the Memphite burial landscape. It is best known for the 4th Dynasty pyramids built by Pharaoh Sneferu, notably the Bent Pyramid and the Red Pyramid.

The Bent Pyramid demonstrates an early experiment in slope that changes partway up the monument and retains much of its original casing stone. The Red Pyramid is widely regarded as humanity’s first successful true smooth-sided pyramid and has internal passageways and chambers accessible to visitors. The complex also contains later and less intact pyramids and tombs.

These monuments date to the Old Kingdom, around the 26th century BCE, and illustrate the rapid development of royal tomb architecture during Sneferu’s reign. Dahshur forms part of the broader necropolis system that served the ancient capital region of Memphis.

Dahshur lies on the west bank of the Nile valley in Giza Governorate, roughly south of the Giza plateau and within driving distance of Cairo and Saqqara, making it a frequent stop on archaeological tours of the Memphite plain.

• Sneferu pyramids: The site contains two major 4th Dynasty pyramids by Sneferu: the Bent Pyramid with its dual angles and the Red Pyramid, which marked a technical advance to true smooth sides.
• Visitor access: The Red Pyramid is generally open to visitors who can enter its internal chambers, while the Bent Pyramid's exterior is a key study site for early pyramid engineering.

What to See #

• Red Pyramid: Red Pyramid - built by Pharaoh Sneferu and considered the first successful smooth-sided pyramid; interior chambers are accessible to visitors.
• Bent Pyramid: Bent Pyramid - an earlier Sneferu project notable for its change of angle partway up, showing the development of pyramid construction techniques.
• Other pyramids and tombs: Black Pyramid and other smaller tombs and ruins scattered across the Dahshur necropolis representing later and Middle Kingdom activity.