Lahun pyramid
Egypt opens Sesostris II pyramid to visitors
A roughly 4,000-year-old Egyptian adobe pyramid opens to the public for the first time in July 2019, according to the North African nation’s Ministry of Antiquities. The adobe pyramid Lahun – or El-Lahun – was first discovered in 1889 by the British archaeologist William Petrie in Fayoum, about 97 kilometers southwest of Cairo. In 2009, archaeologists found a store of mummies from the time of the Pharaohs in brightly colored, painted wooden coffins. The sarcophagi were decorated with bright shades of green, red and white that carried the pictures of their inhabitants. Archaeologists discovered dozens of mummies, thirty of which were very well preserved, with gifts and prayers to help the deceased in the afterlife. The site, which was once surrounded by slabs of white limestone, revealed
fascinating finds uncovered
The opening of the little-known Lahun pyramid followed extensive maintenance work. Conservation work included removing debris found in the corridors and burial chamber of the pyramid and installing wooden stairs to facilitate access. This also includes bringing the fallen stones in the hall and corridor back to their original place after the restoration, restoring stones on the floor and installing a new lighting system. The entrance to the pyramid is on the south rather than the north side, unlike most Egyptian pyramids.
Saqqara pyramids
Anyone who goes on a study trip to Egypt will definitely visit one of the numerous pyramid complexes. In addition to the famous pyramids of Giza and the Valley of the Kings, the pyramids of Saqqara are definitely worth a visit. Its name goes back to the god of the dead Sokar. For three thousand years, Saqqara was one of the most important places for the burial of kings and venerable people.
The whole day should be planned for visiting the Saqqara necropolis. It is located about 25 kilometers from Cairo. Started from Giza, it is only 15 kilometers.
The area of the city of the dead extends like a huge open-air museum. Tombs, pyramids, catacombs and mortuary temples are distributed in the area of Saqqara-South and Saqqara-North.
Saqqara Museum
Every traveler is recommended to start the tour of the Saqqara tombs with the museum. Here you get a first impression and an overview of the city of the dead and its history. Excellent finds from the excavations are on display.
The great step pyramid
In the middle of the complex dedicated to Pharaoh Djoser Netjerichet from the 27th century BC. BC you can see the most famous step pyramid in Egypt. With an original height of 60 meters, it is famous for being the first monumental stone building in Egypt and the only great step pyramid. With the construction of this pyramid, the idea was born to build the grave structures of the following old dynasties, monumentally stepped towards heaven.
Pyramid of Unas
When visiting the interior of this rather small pyramid, one encounters famous texts that can be seen well preserved as inscriptions on the walls. They are about pharaohs and their connection to the world of gods.
Ruins of a Coptic monastery
The important ruins of the monastery of St. Jeremiah from the 5th century include not only the everyday buildings of the monks but also two churches. Well-preserved reliefs with religious scenes, wood carvings and utensils were discovered during the excavation.
Pyramids of Giza
Eight kilometers south of Giza (in Egyptian Arabic: Gîza) and 15 kilometers from the city center of Cairo, the three pyramids of Giza are not only among the most famous buildings in Egypt, but in the whole world. They are the oldest surviving buildings known to man. The pyramids are located on the Pyramid Road (Sharia el Ahram) and are the only one of the Seven Wonders of the World that is still preserved today. They were included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. The most famous and largest pyramids of Giza are the pyramids of the pharaohs Chephren, Mykerinos and Cheops.
The pyramids and their building history
Even when the three great pyramids were begun, there was an extensive burial ground in Giza, which was used by the Egyptian ruling class. The pyramids themselves were made from around the year 2,650 BC. Begun and 2,500 BC. Completed in the time of the IV Dynasty. The complex included not only the three great pyramids, but also side pyramids, further burial grounds and temples, as well as villages in which the workers were housed. Although the Egyptians were already familiar with the wheel at the time, only rollers and inclined planes were used to transport the stone blocks. The largest of the three pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Cheops, has a side length of 230.3 meters and was once 146.60 meters high. Today it has shrunk to a no less impressive 138.75 meters.
The environment
When visiting the pyramids, a visit to the solar boat museum should not be missed, in which important finds from the pyramids are exhibited. The great Sphinx is also absolutely worth seeing, which is around 100 to 200 years older than the pyramids, because it was built between 2,600 and 2,700 BC. Built in BC. The fourth, unfinished pyramid of Chentkaus is also worth seeing.
