Elephantine Small Step Pyramid Island Platform
Elephantine Small Step Pyramid Island Platform North Annex · Elephantine Site
Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE)·Ancient Egyptian (Old Kingdom)·🇪🇬 Aswan, Elephantine, Egypt
About
About Elephantine Small Step Pyramid Island Platform
Elephantine Small Step Pyramid Island Platform in Aswan, Elephantine, Egypt is a Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE) pyramid attributed to Ancient Egyptian (Old Kingdom). Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal base 95 × 95 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 24.0850N 32.8870E controls access to Aswan resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey pyramid for Aswan, Elephantine, illustrating Ancient Egyptian (Old Kingdom) construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction logistics and labour organisation
- 02Astronomical orientation method
Theories
- 01Royal tomb with cult temple axis
- 02Experimental step before true pyramid
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. 2600–2500 BCE
- Period
- Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE)
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian (Old Kingdom)
- Purpose
- Royal tomb and ceremonial platform embodying cosmology
- Rediscovered
- 1966 survey
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2600–2500 BCE
Initial construction of Elephantine Small Step Pyramid Island Platform main structure
c. 1906
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1966–2011
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Elephantine Small Step Pyramid Island Platform) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
24.0850° N · 32.8870° E · 122 m · 4 mapped features
- Elephantine Small Step Pyramid Island Platform — Main StructurestructurePrincipal pyramid — Base 95 × 95 m with diagnostic masonry/panel24.0858° N · 32.8879° E
- Elephantine Small Step Pyramid Island Platform — Ancillary ComplexcomplexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature24.0840° N · 32.8863° E
- Elephantine Small Step Pyramid Island Platform — Peripheral FeatureoutlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial24.0865° N · 32.8882° E
- Elephantine Small Step Pyramid Island Platform — Hydraulic/CisternhydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site24.0834° N · 32.8859° E
Gallery