El-Kula Small Step Pyramid — Hierakonpolis
El-Kula Pyramid · Pyramid of El Kula · El Kula Brick Pyramid
late 3rd–early 4th Dynasty, c.2630 BCE·Ancient Egyptian (Huni/Sneferu)·🇪🇬 Aswan Governorate, Egypt
About
About El-Kula Small Step Pyramid — Hierakonpolis
Three-step small pyramid at El-Kula, 5 km north of Hierakonpolis temple town: 12.5 m base, 3 steps, limestone core now eroded. Excavated by Quibell, Reiner and Kaiser. Commands view over Hierakonpolis Main Deposit. Part of Huni/Sneferu provincial network, marking cult centre of Horus at Nekhen. Seal impressions and Old Kingdom pottery confirm festival cult.
Why it mattersKey Ancient Egyptian (Huni/Sneferu) pyramid with stratified sequence and regional importance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Relation to Hierakonpolis Predynastic Horus cult and Main Deposit
- 02Why Nekhen nome pyramid at El-Kula not on Hierakonpolis island
Theories
- 01Continuation of Nekhen cult centre authority under Old Kingdom
- 02Provincial ka pyramid marking Horus nome
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.2630 BCE (Huni/Sneferu)
- Period
- late 3rd–early 4th Dynasty, c.2630 BCE
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian (Huni/Sneferu)
- Purpose
- Small three-step pyramid at El-Kula village near Hierakonpolis (Nekhen), marking 3rd nome of Upper Egypt (Nekhen) and Predynastic capital
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2630 BCE
Construction on spur north of Hierakonpolis
1898
Quibell recording
1970s
Kaiser re-survey
On the ground
Structures & features
25.1140° N · 32.7300° E · 85 m · 2 mapped features
Three-step limestone mound
structureStepped limestone core with robbed casing, west face intact stepping
25.1140° N · 32.7300° EHierakonpolis temple view spur
viewpointBedrock spur viewpoint toward Hierakonpolis Main Deposit 5 km south
25.1139° N · 32.7300° E