Elephantine Pyramid
Yebu Pyramid · Pyramid of Elephantine Island · Elephantine Small Step Pyramid
Late 3rd Dynasty (Huni, c.2630–2613 BCE)·Ancient Egyptian (Huni / early 4th Dynasty)·🇪🇬 Aswan Governorate, Elephantine Island southern tip, between Aswan and First Cataract, Egypt
About
About Elephantine Pyramid
Small step pyramid (Huni, c.2630 BCE, 18.46 m base, 3 steps, 5.10 m high today) on rocky crest of Elephantine Island (Yebu) at First Cataract. Rough granite and limestone rubble with pink granite fragments, oriented SSE and aligned to heliacal rising of Sirius per Belmonte-Maglo? First noted 1907, identified as pyramid by German Archaeological Institute 1978–79 (Kaiser). Eastern niche held offering table. Marks southern frontier of Huni domain at Aswan.
Why it mattersSouthernmost Huni provincial pyramid at Egyptian frontier; links Nile and Sirius orientation studies; Elephantine Old Kingdom town and early pyramid network.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Sirius alignment hypothesis for southeast edge
- 02Why granite rubble vs limestone at other minor pyramids
Theories
- 01Frontier cenotaph aligned to Sopdet heliacal rise; trade-route marker
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, late 3rd Dynasty)
- Period
- Late 3rd Dynasty (Huni, c.2630–2613 BCE)
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian (Huni / early 4th Dynasty)
- Purpose
- Cenotaph for southern frontier / Sirius cult marker at First Cataract
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2630 BCE (Huni, late 3rd Dynasty)
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1200–600 BCE
Major use phase and refurbishment
20th century
Modern archaeological survey and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
24.0856° N · 32.8853° E · 92 m · 3 mapped features
Elephantine step core
pyramidGranite rubble three steps 18.46 m base on rocky crest
24.0856° N · 32.8853° EEastern offering niche
nicheRecess with offering table base east face
24.0856° N · 32.8854° EIsland Old Kingdom town wall
wallMudbrick town enclosure south of pyramid
24.0852° N · 32.8850° E
Gallery