White Pyramid, Ancient pyramid in Dahshur, Egypt.
The White Pyramid is an ancient royal tomb in Dahshur made of limestone blocks and mud bricks arranged in precise geometric patterns. It rises about 75 meters tall and sits within a rectangular enclosure that also contains smaller tombs.
This structure was built around 1920 BCE during the Middle Kingdom as the tomb of Pharaoh Amenemhat II of the 12th Dynasty. It represents a period when royal construction projects were major undertakings in ancient Egypt.
The internal layout reflects ancient Egyptian ideas about death and the afterlife, with specific spaces designed for offerings and religious rituals. You can still see traces of these spiritual practices in the chamber decorations today.
The entrance is on the northern face and opens into a descending corridor that leads to the burial chambers inside. You'll need good lighting to navigate the internal passages and sturdy shoes work best for walking around the site.
The structure was originally covered in white plaster, which is how it got its name, though most of this coating has worn away over time. The hieroglyphic inscriptions on the gravestones scattered across the enclosure preserve names and titles of royal family members.
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