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White Pyramid

Pyramid of Amenemhat II
White Pyramid
Plan of the hypogeum.
Interactive map of White Pyramid
Amenemhat II
Coordinates29deg48'20''N 31deg13'22''E / 29.80556degN 31.22278degE / 29.80556; 31.22278
Ancient name


[1]
Shm I-mn-m-hZt
Sekhem Amenemhat
Amenemhat has Power[2]
TypeTrue pyramid (ruined)

The White Pyramid (Egyptian Arabic: lhrm l'byD, romanized: al-Haram al-`Abyad) of Amenemhat II is located in the pyramid field at Dahshur, Egypt, and is now nothing more than a pile of rubble, having been heavily quarried for stone. The remaining limestone rubble has given rise to its modern name.

Plan of the White Pyramid complex at Dahshur

The pyramid is surrounded by a large rectangular enclosure wall. A number of intact tombs were found inside this enclosure wall belonging to the relatives of Amenemhat II including the tombs of prince Amenemhatankh and princesses Ita, Khnumet, Itaweret and Sithathormeret. A wide variety of funerary furniture was recovered from these tombs including wooden coffins, alabaster perfume jars, and canopic chests. There was also a large quantity of beautiful jewellery in the tombs of Ita and Khnumet.

Statue of Amenemhat II that was later usurped by 19th Dynasty pharaohs, but possibly originating from the White Pyramid complex.

In 1894 and 1895, Jacques de Morgan dug in the pyramid complex, concentrating on the surrounding royal graves, with other areas not being explored. A full-scale investigation of the whole complex has yet to be undertaken.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Lehner 2008, pp. 16 & 179.
  2. ^ Budge 1920, p. 691a.

Sources

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to White Pyramid of Amenemhat II.
Period
Dynasty
  • Pyramids
Old Kingdom
(2686-2181 BC)
III
IV
V
VI
1st Intermediate Period
(2181-2040 BC)
X
Middle Kingdom
(2040-1650 BC)
XI
XII
XIII
Second Intermediate
(1650-1570 BC)
XVII
New Kingdom
(1570-1070 BC)
XVIII


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