Pyramid of El-Lahun (Senwosret II)
Illahun Pyramid · Lahun Pyramid · Pyramid of Senusret II
Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Fayum Governorate, Egypt
About
About Pyramid of El-Lahun (Senwosret II)
Mudbrick pyramid of Senwosret II at El-Lahun, gateway to Fayum, 48 m high 106 m base (angle 42°35'), innovative limestone framework walls radiating from rock core filled with mudbrick. Francis Petrie 1889–90 excavated pyramid town Kahun and jewellery of Princess Sit-Hathor-Iunet. Foundation for Middle Kingdom Fayum irrigation project; causeway with valley temple.
Why it mattersClassic Middle Kingdom mudbrick pyramid; Kahun town – earliest planned workers' town.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Radial wall construction novelty vs earlier limestone cores
Theories
- 01Mudbrick economized after Old Kingdom stone exhaustion; foreshadows 13th Dynasty cost-cutting
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. 1897–1878 BCE (Senwosret II)
- Period
- Middle Kingdom, 12th Dynasty
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Purpose
- Tomb of Senwosret II (Senusret II) and queens
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 1897–1878 BCE (Senwosret II)
Initial construction
c. 1454 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
29.2333° N · 30.9667° E · 35 m · 3 mapped features
Rock core with radiating walls
coreLimestone framework core
29.2334° N · 30.9669° ESubstructure with queen chamber
chamberGranite burial apartments SE entry
29.2333° N · 30.9670° EKahun pyramid town remains
settlementWorkers' town east of pyramid
29.2320° N · 30.9710° E