El Kula Pyramid — Small Step Pyramid near Hierakonpolis
Old Kingdom (3rd Dynasty c.2670–2610 BCE Huni? or Sneferu provincial 7 small pyramids)·Old Kingdom provincial small pyramid (one of 7 provincial pyramids Huni/Sneferu)·🇪🇬 Upper Egypt, near Hierakonpolis (Kom el Ahmar), Nag el Lahun? El Kula hill, Egypt
About
About El Kula Pyramid — Small Step Pyramid near Hierakonpolis
El Kula small pyramid surveyed by Junker and Kaiser, one of 7 provincial step pyramids of Huni 3rd Dynasty. Recorded context — Period: Old Kingdom (3rd Dynasty c.2670–2610 BCE Huni? or Sneferu provincial 7 small pyramids); Culture: Old Kingdom provincial small pyramid (one of 7 provincial pyramids Huni/Sneferu); Field status: partially excavated; Materials: limestone; Condition: ruined — stepped core 10.5 m high.
Why it mattersKey Old Kingdom provincial small pyramid (one of 7 provincial pyramids Huni/Sneferu) pyramid with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Function of enclosure
- 02Astronomical alignment
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Observatory
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. 2670 BCE
- Period
- Old Kingdom (3rd Dynasty c.2670–2610 BCE Huni? or Sneferu provincial 7 small pyramids)
- Culture
- Old Kingdom provincial small pyramid (one of 7 provincial pyramids Huni/Sneferu)
- Purpose
- Provincial small step pyramid (18.6 m base) on El Kula hill — 7 Huni provincial markers from Elephantine to Zawiyet el-Mayitin
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1892
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1200 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at El Kula Pyramid — Small Step Pyramid near Hierakonpolis
1950 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of El Kula Pyramid — Small Step Pyramid near Hierakonpolis
c. 2670 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at El Kula Pyramid — Small Step Pyramid near Hierakonpolis
On the ground
Structures & features
25.1330° N · 32.7330° E · 95 m · 3 mapped features
- El Kula Pyramid — Small Step Pyramid near Hierakonpolis — Principal Pyramidpyramidpyramid at El Kula Pyramid — Small Step Pyramid near Hierakonpolis — primary structure25.1331° N · 32.7328° E
- El Kula Pyramid — Small Step Pyramid near Hierakonpolis — Northern Chamberchamberchamber at El Kula Pyramid — Small Step Pyramid near Hierakonpolis — primary structure25.1345° N · 32.7320° E
- El Kula Pyramid — Small Step Pyramid near Hierakonpolis — Southern Causewaycausewaycauseway at El Kula Pyramid — Small Step Pyramid near Hierakonpolis — primary structure25.1332° N · 32.7331° E