Pyramid shops of Meidun

Pyramid of Meidum

Dynasty IV. Reign of Snefru.

From 2,614 to 2,589 B.C.

Measures.- 12,5x12,5x8,5 cm.

Description:

We continue our pyramidal journey with the first of the three pyramids that Snefru, first pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty and father of Cheops, commissioned to build and that, in addition, was the last to be completed.
The reason for this curious event is found in the pyramid itself as well as in the other two that the same pharaoh commissioned to build and that became a laboratory where to test innovative techniques to finally build a pyramid of smooth faces close to perfection.
Observing this construction today, it would seem that it is the tower of a fortress rather than a pyramid, however from the beginning it was conceived as a step pyramid, which is precisely what we can admire today.
Once that first idea was concluded, Snefru determined that it was not sufficiently representative so they covered the pyramid with new ashlars that, because the faces of the primitive building were already carved, the coating slid revealing what we see today.
In our piece we wanted, in the middle of two of its faces, to show you what the pyramid looked like completely finished.
This first pyramid of Snefru, had its funerary complex, which indicates that it was the place chosen by the pharaoh for his burial, but the construction was temporarily stopped to get the best construction techniques and for this the architects had to abandon it and dedicate themselves to a new project, although finally they were shops forced to return and resume the first project trying to get the monument to reach the expectations placed on it.
As an example of the lack of constructive techniques to address a work of this magnitude we will say that in the false arches or vaults in saledizo the yarns are sufficiently realized, and even the floor of the burial chamber is not even leveled, although the latter may have been due to the cessation of work in this first attempt of pyramid of smooth faces.
We are really facing a monument worthy of study for architects and engineers since you can clearly see the development of construction techniques and the evolution in terms of mathematical, engineering and architectural knowledge.
Next stop: Rhomboid pyramid.