Mazghuna South Pyramid — Late 12th Dynasty Mudbrick Unfinished
Late Middle Kingdom (late 12th Dynasty c.1800 BCE) Amenemhat IV?/Sobekneferu?·12th–13th Dynasty transitional late Middle Kingdom·🇪🇬 Giza South, Mazghuna, near Dahshur, south of Dahshur, between Dahshur and Lisht, Egypt
About
About Mazghuna South Pyramid — Late 12th Dynasty Mudbrick Unfinished
Mazghuna South excavated by Petrie 1910 report Ernest Mackay 1911, unfinished late 12th structure with massive quartzite. Recorded context — Period: Late Middle Kingdom (late 12th Dynasty c.1800 BCE) Amenemhat IV?/Sobekneferu?; Culture: 12th–13th Dynasty transitional late Middle Kingdom; Field status: partially excavated; Materials: mudbrick, limestone outer, granite vault, quartzite lid; Condition: unfinished — capped with sand.
Why it mattersKey 12th–13th Dynasty transitional late Middle Kingdom pyramid with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Collapse cause
- 02Trade network extent
Theories
- 01Defensive stronghold
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. 1800 BCE unfinished
- Period
- Late Middle Kingdom (late 12th Dynasty c.1800 BCE) Amenemhat IV?/Sobekneferu?
- Culture
- 12th–13th Dynasty transitional late Middle Kingdom
- Purpose
- Unfinished mudbrick pyramid (52.5 m base) with granite/ quartzite vault and portcullis — last Middle Kingdom attempt before Second Intermediate Period
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1960
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1800 BCE unfinished
Initial construction / first occupation at Mazghuna South Pyramid — Late 12th Dynasty Mudbrick Unfinished
c. 1200 BCE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Mazghuna South Pyramid — Late 12th Dynasty Mudbrick Unfinished
1950 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Mazghuna South Pyramid — Late 12th Dynasty Mudbrick Unfinished
On the ground
Structures & features
29.7610° N · 31.2250° E · 35 m · 4 mapped features
- Mazghuna South Pyramid — Late 12th Dynasty Mudbrick Unfinished — Principal Pyramidpyramidpyramid at Mazghuna South Pyramid — Late 12th Dynasty Mudbrick Unfinished — subsidiary complex29.7624° N · 31.2264° E
- Mazghuna South Pyramid — Late 12th Dynasty Mudbrick Unfinished — Chamber Annex 2chamberchamber at Mazghuna South Pyramid — Late 12th Dynasty Mudbrick Unfinished — hydraulic feature29.7593° N · 31.2261° E
- Mazghuna South Pyramid — Late 12th Dynasty Mudbrick Unfinished — Causeway Annex 3causewaycauseway at Mazghuna South Pyramid — Late 12th Dynasty Mudbrick Unfinished — hydraulic feature29.7591° N · 31.2237° E
- Mazghuna South Pyramid — Late 12th Dynasty Mudbrick Unfinished — Eastern Pyramidpyramidpyramid at Mazghuna South Pyramid — Late 12th Dynasty Mudbrick Unfinished — subsidiary complex29.7629° N · 31.2249° E