Red Pyramid at Dahshur

Red Pyramid Dahshur: History, Architecture, and Mystery

It is the third-largest pyramid in Egypt and was built in the Dahshur necropolis by Sneferu about 4,600 years ago. Visitors with a passion for Egyptology will be captivated by this pyramid, rich in history, architecture, and mystery.

While the Red Pyramid is not the largest, the pharaoh who built it (Sneferu) is still credited with inspiring the Great Pyramid of Giza, which was built by his son Khufu.

Why is it called the Red Pyramid?

The name refers to the color of the stones, which are reddish and rusty. Contrary to its name and current appearance, the Red Pyramid was not always red. When it was first built, it was a bright, gleaming white. In fact, all the pyramids in Egypt were white, as the stones were coated with a special type of limestone.

Tickets and Visitor Information

The Red Pyramid is the largest structure in Dahshur and also the most accessible.

• Dahshur Complex Entrance Fee: There is a $7 fee to enter the Dahshur complex.

• Red Pyramid Entry: Once inside the complex, you can enter the Red Pyramid for free.

• Comparison: To enter most of the other pyramids, there is an additional fee to enter the pyramid itself.

The Ancient Environment of Dahshur

At the time the pyramids were built, Egypt was not the arid desert it is today; the Nile was more active and flooded every year, meaning that the habitable land surrounding the river was much wider.

Today, Dahshur is part of the desert, giving the impression that the pyramids were built specifically on dry sand; however, when they were built, the surrounding land was extremely fertile. According to some sources, the environment was closer to a savanna and teeming with wildlife.

Celestial Alignment and the Autumnal Equinox

There is growing evidence that the Egyptian pyramids were built according to celestial patterns, bodies, and events, as the Red Pyramid aligns perfectly with the sun’s movement during the annual autumnal equinox.

If one were to place a stick in the ground on the day of the equinox and track the movement of the shadow’s tip throughout the day, the resulting line would be aligned in an east-west direction, with a slight deviation due to the Earth’s tilt a phenomenon also reflected by the pyramid.

The Significance of the Equinox

The autumnal equinox (or fall) refers to the time of year when night and day are equal; it also marks the beginning of the harvest season preceding winter. For the ancient Egyptians, this balance between light and darkness represented a transient equilibrium between the underworld and the heavens.

Inside the Red Pyramid: A Journey Through the Chambers

The First Chamber of the Red Pyramid

Upon entering, there is a small passageway that slopes gradually at a 27-degree angle and is only 3 feet high, so most adults will have to bend over or crawl. The passage leads to a room with a vaulted ceiling; this is the first chamber. The ceiling is 40 feet (12 meters) high and rises at an 11-degree angle, and the room’s long axis is aligned along a north-south line.

The Burial Chamber in the Red Pyramid

Another passage leads to the second chamber at the southern end of the first chamber, but it faces west. The offset slightly obscures the passage, suggesting it was deliberately designed this way to confuse tomb robbers.

The second chamber is identical to the first but is located directly beneath the pyramid’s apex, indicating that it was intended to be the pharaoh’s actual burial chamber. The location of this chamber is significant, as the ancient Egyptians believed in the connection between sacred geometry and the passage of souls.

Modern Science and Pyramidal Energy

Modern scientists are only now beginning to understand the pyramid’s significance. According to researchers at ITMO University in St. Petersburg, Russia, pyramidal structures concentrate electrical and magnetic energy; in fact, this ancient technology could be adapted to create highly efficient pyramidal solar cells.

These findings shed some light on the mystery of why the ancient Egyptians were so interested in building these massive structures, why they align with the stars and the equinoxes, and why kings were buried directly beneath the apexes.

The Hidden Chamber of the Red Pyramid

At the top of the south wall of the second chamber, at a height of 25 feet (7 meters), there is another small entrance. Today, a wooden staircase has been built to make this entrance more accessible to tourists. Once through, there is a short horizontal passage leading to the third and final chamber.

This final chamber is unlike the other two. The long axis of this chamber is aligned along an east-west line, and the ceiling is higher at 50 feet (15 meters).