Pyramid of Senwosret III (Dahshur)
Senusret III Pyramid · Sesostris III Pyramid · Dahshur Senwosret III Pyramid
Middle Kingdom (12th Dynasty)·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Giza Governorate, Dahshur North — beside Amenemhat II plateau, Egypt
About
About Pyramid of Senwosret III (Dahshur)
North Dahshur pyramid of Senwosret III (12th Dynasty, c. 1878–1839 BCE), largest 12th-Dynasty pyramid at 60 ha complex: base 105 × 105 m, 78 m high, mudbrick core with limestone casing, first reign to add N-S causeway and hidden entrances. North entrance concealed under pavement. Substructure granite sarcophagus, queens' tombs in north gallery with celebrated jewellery of Sithathor, Mereret (Cairo Museum). Enclosure with seven princesses' tombs and sacred causeway to valley temple. Excavated by De Morgan 1894 (queen jewellery) and Dieter Arnold 1978–95. Despite being built, Senwosret III is popularly associated with the Abydos tomb (26.113N) leading to cenotaph debate.
Why it mattersPeak Middle Kingdom pyramid engineering; queens' jewellery vault is touchstone for 12th Dynasty metalwork; cenotaph-vs-tomb question central to Middle Kingdom funerary ideology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Is Dahshur the real tomb or cenotaph while Abydos is tomb
- 02Identity of 7 princesses
Theories
- 01Abydos tomb is the true tomb; Dahshur is symbolic for northern capital
- 02Dual burial symbolic unity of Two Lands
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. 1870–1850 BCE (Senwosret III, 12th Dynasty)
- Period
- Middle Kingdom (12th Dynasty)
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Builders
- Senwosret III
- Purpose
- Royal pyramid tomb (possibly cenotaph if Abydos tomb is real tomb)
- Rediscovered
- 1894 (De Morgan queens' treasure)
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1870–1850 BCE (Senwosret III, 12th Dynasty)
Initial construction
c. 1401 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8108° N · 31.2219° E · 52 m · 3 mapped features
Senwosret III pyramid mound
pyramid105 m base mudbrick
29.8108° N · 31.2219° EQueens' gallery north
tomb7 princess tombs with jewellery
29.8112° N · 31.2218° EHidden north entrance
entranceConcealed pavement entrance
29.8111° N · 31.2219° E
Gallery