An Art History Oops: Bent Pyramid
The idea of an “architectural error” doesn’t usually come to mind when studying the art history of ancient Egypt with its magnificent pyramid tomb construction and huge pylon temples. However, trial and error is probably a universal truth when it comes to building design. The Bent Pyramid at Dahshur is an example of one of the missteps along the way between the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara and the Great Pyramids at Giza.
Ancient Egypt, Fourth Dynasty, Old Kingdom, Bent Pyramid of Sneferu, Dahshur, Egypt, ca. 2575–2551 BCE. Photo by Lexie. CC BY 2.0. (8S-30282) |
Sneferu (ruled 2575–2551 BCE) was the father of Khufu (ruled ca. 2551–2528 BCE), the pharaoh who commissioned the Great Pyramid of Giza. It is believed that Sneferu commissioned the building of the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur, a royal necropolis near Cairo. This would have been his first try at building a true pyramid. His step pyramid at Meidum, built at the same time as the Bent Pyramid, was an imitation of the step pyramid of Djoser in Saqqara. Workers attempted to make the step pyramid look like an isosceles triangle pyramid with an outer layer that filled in the steps. However, the pyramid was too steep and sandy foundation too unstable, leading to the collapse of that pyramid.
The lower half of the Bent Pyramid was begun at a 55-degree angle, which was deemed too steep mid-construction. The angle was altered to 43 degrees, which led to its unique shape and modern name. At the time, the pyramid was called “Sneferu is shining in the south” (Snfrw Kha Sneferu) because, like the pyramids at Giza, it was clad in polished Tura limestone that reflected the bright sun.
The Bent Pyramid complex was surrounded by an enclosure wall formed from yellowish-grey local limestone. Within this wall sits the main pyramid, a satellite pyramid, a small mortuary temple, and a small courtyard. A limestone causeway led to the valley temple. One of the first valley temples included in a pyramid complex, the valley temple is also one of the first to feature carved reliefs on its walls.
Sneferu built a third pyramid at Dahshur, now called the Red Pyramid because of its core material of red sandstone. Originally, this pyramid was also covered with white Tura limestone. The Red Pyramid is thought to be the first true isosceles pyramid among the pyramid tombs of the Old Kingdom, predating those of his son Khufu and Khufu’s son Khafre (ruled ca. 2472–ca. 2448 BCE). The Red Pyramid was built at a 43-degree angle, like the upper portion of the Bent Pyramid.
During the pre-dynastic period (ca. 3500–3050 BCE), Egypt evolved into two kingdoms: the Red Kingdom and the White Kingdom. The Red Kingdom extended from the Nile Delta to about Atfih. The White Kingdom extended from Atfih to Gebel es-Silsila. The two kingdoms were apparently united around 3050 BCE. Egypt's geographic location ensured that its culture, religious beliefs, and forms of art remained substantially unchanged for more than 3000 years. The deserts to the west and east, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, and the Nile, which runs the length of the eastern part of the country, all protected Egypt from invasion.
Despite the arid climate, the Nile's annual flood (usually in August) deposited rich soils on the river's bordering fields, producing farmland for abundant and varied crops. The first dynasties of kings that ruled Egypt is called the Old Kingdom (ca. 2686–2150 BCE), comprised of Dynasties III through VI. Many of the conventions seen in ancient Egyptian wall painting, sculpture, and reliefs were established as far back as the 3000s BCE.
Burials had been modest up until the time of Third-Dynasty king Djoser (Zoser, ruled ca. 2686–ca. 2611 BCE). Djoser constructed the oldest existing pyramid tomb in history. However, it was during the Fourth Dynasty (ca. 2575–2467 BCE) that pyramid building as symbols of the pharaoh's divinity and status reached its highest peak of refinement.
Correlations to Davis programs: A Global Pursuit 2E: 1.4, The Visual Experience 3E: 15.3, The Visual Experience 4E: 2.6; Discovering Art History 4E: 5.3; Davis Collections: Ancient Egypt
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