Zawyet el-Meytin Small Step Pyramid — Minya
Zawyet el-Meytin Pyramid · Pyramid of Zawyet el-Meytin · Zawiyet el-Meyitin Pyramid
late 3rd–early 4th Dynasty, c.2630 BCE·Ancient Egyptian (Huni/Sneferu)·🇪🇬 Minya Governorate, Egypt
About
About Zawyet el-Meytin Small Step Pyramid — Minya
Small three-step pyramid at Zawyet el-Meytin, 10 km south of Minya on east bank spur: 10.5 m base, 3 steps, now 4.5 m limestone ruin. Surveyed by Lepsius 1843, excavated by Raymond Weill (1911) and Kaiser (1980s). Northernmost of the seven provincial pyramids, overlooking rock-cut tombs of Hare nome governors (Heqaib). Limestone casing robbed, core three steps legible. Marks northern limit of Huni/Sneferu pyramid network before entering Memphite region.
Why it mattersKey Ancient Egyptian (Huni/Sneferu) pyramid with stratified sequence and regional importance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why Hare nome pyramid relatively small (10.5 m) vs southern examples
- 02Chronology vs governor tombs
Theories
- 01Northern frontier marker of Upper Egyptian provincial system
- 02Ka cenotaph for hare nome unity ritual
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
- Northernmost small step pyramid at Zawyet el-Meytin (Zawiyet el-Maiyitin) opposite Minya, marking Hare nome (Wenet) northern border
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2630 BCE
Construction on spur above Hare nome cemetery
1911
Weill clearance
1980s
Kaiser re-survey
On the ground
Structures & features
27.9328° N · 30.8572° E · 55 m · 2 mapped features
Step pyramid on limestone spur
structureThree-step limestone core with robbed casing, east face deepest stratigraphy
27.9328° N · 30.8572° ERock-cut governor tombs escarpment
tombOld Kingdom Hare nome governor tombs cut into escarpment 200 m north, contemporary
27.9333° N · 30.8568° E
Gallery