Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III (Dahshur)
Black Pyramid · Amenemhat III North Pyramid · Dahshur Black Pyramid
Middle Kingdom (12th Dynasty)·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Giza Governorate, Dahshur — Black Pyramid field east of Bent Pyramid, Egypt
About
About Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III (Dahshur)
12th-Dynasty 'Black Pyramid' of Amenemhat III (c. 1860–1814 BCE), first of his two pyramids (second at Hawara). Base 105 × 105 m (200 cubits), 70 m high originally; mudbrick core with limestone casing, inner structure of mudbrick vaults — now blackened by decay of mudbrick exposed after robbed limestone, giving its modern name. Architecturally pivotal: first pyramid to include quartzite burial vault, predecessor to Hawara's enormous sarcophagus, corbelled roofs, and the first 'pyramidion' capstone of polished basalt inscribed (Cairo Museum).
Queens' tombs in eastern substructure for Neferuptah. Abandoned near completion due to structural cracks in mudbrick on unstable gravel and subsidence by Dahshur wadi; king then built Hawara. Excavated by Jacques de Morgan 1894, Dieter Arnold 1976–86. Unfinished basalt pyramidion proves royal abandonment.
Why it mattersMost instructive Middle Kingdom pyramid failure: shows evolution from Old Kingdom stone to mudbrick engineering and why kings shifted to Fayum (Hawara) for firmer ground.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Degree of settlement at moment of abandonment
- 02Disposition of queens Neferuptah, Aat
Theories
- 01Geotechnical subsidence on wadi gravel triggered move to Hawara
- 02Basalt pyramidion already inscribed suggests near-completion
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. 1860–1814 BCE (12th Dynasty, Amenemhat III year ~1–15)
- Period
- Middle Kingdom (12th Dynasty)
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Builders
- Amenemhat III
- Purpose
- Intended royal tomb pyramid (abandoned)
- Abandoned
- c. 1845 BCE (structural failure; king moved to Hawara)
- Rediscovered
- 1894 (Jacques de Morgan)
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1860–1814 BCE (12th Dynasty, Amenemhat III year ~1–15)
Initial construction
c. 1402 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
29.7892° N · 31.2258° E · 48 m · 3 mapped features
Black Pyramid mass
pyramid105 m blackened mudbrick mound
29.7892° N · 31.2258° EQueens' substructure east
chamberNeferuptah burial annex
29.7890° N · 31.2262° EPyramidion findspot
capstoneBasalt capstone discovered nearby
29.7893° N · 31.2260° E
Gallery