Pyramid of Athribis
Athribis Small Step Pyramid · Tell Athribis Pyramid · Benha Pyramid
Old Kingdom, 3rd Dynasty·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Qalyubiyya Governorate, Tell Athribis near Benha, Egypt
Description de l'Egypte, Volume 31, Planche 27 · Public domain
About
About Pyramid of Athribis
Northernmost Huni small step pyramid at Tell Athribis (ancient Hut-Repyt), 45 km north of Cairo in Delta. Limestone rubble 18 m base, almost leveled today (<1 m, three steps traceable via foundation outline), originally ~10–12 m. Overlooks Athribis town mound of 9th nome capital. Demonstrates pyramid network extended from Delta to Aswan spanning ~800 km. Excavated in part by Flinders Petrie, Rowe, Junker.
Why it mattersNorthern terminus of provincial pyramid network proves Old Kingdom state reached Delta 10th nome; contrasts southern granite variant.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why Athribis chosen as Delta capital marker
- 02Preservation difference north vs south
Theories
- 01Delta counterpart to Elephantine frontier marker
- 02Royal Ka temples at nome capitals
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)
- Period
- Old Kingdom, 3rd Dynasty
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Purpose
- Delta territorial marker/cenotaph
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2630 BCE (Huni)
Initial construction
c. 1327 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
30.4706° N · 31.1881° E · 20 m · 3 mapped features
Athribis pyramid outline
foundationLeveled foundation of three steps
30.4706° N · 31.1881° ETell Athribis mound
tellAdjacent ancient town Hut-Repyt
30.4710° N · 31.1885° EDelta plain
landscapeCultivation edge
30.4702° N · 31.1878° E
Gallery