Mazghuna Pyramids (North & South)
Mazghuna / Muzghuna Pyramids · Pyramids of Amenemhat IV and Sobekneferu?
Late Middle Kingdom, late 12th–13th Dynasty·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Giza Governorate, Dahshur South, Egypt
About
About Mazghuna Pyramids (North & South)
Two late 12th / early 13th Dynasty mudbrick pyramid ruins 5 km south of Dahshur at Mazghuna village: Southern pyramid 52.5 m base with intact quartzite sarcophagus and 42 t lid in U-shaped quartzite chamber (attributed Amenemhat IV), Northern with undulating foundation and similar vault. Both unfinished / poorly finished, marking decline of Middle Kingdom pyramid building and Dynastic transition.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Which kings owned each – debate vs Khendjer adjacency
Theories
- 01Rapid reuse of Hawara-type quartzite chamber technology in short-reign succession
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. 1822–1778 BCE (Amenemhat IV / Sobekneferu / early 13th)
- Period
- Late Middle Kingdom, late 12th–13th Dynasty
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Purpose
- Royal tombs late Middle Kingdom
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1822–1778 BCE (Amenemhat IV / Sobekneferu / early 13th)
Initial construction
c. 1106 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
29.7500° N · 31.2333° E · 50 m · 3 mapped features
South Mazghuna sarcophagus chamber
chamberQuartzite sarcophagus 42 t lid within brick
29.7498° N · 31.2333° ENorth Mazghuna substructure
chamberUnfinished descending corridor and chamber
29.7520° N · 31.2336° EMudbrick enclosure wall south
enclosurePerimeter wall traces
29.7495° N · 31.2330° E
Gallery