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The Black Pyramid
Builder: Amenemhat III
Constructed: 1859 – 1813 BC
Height: 75 meters.
Location: Dahshur.
king Amenemhat the third (6th king of Dynasty 12), the son of King Senusret the third, He ruled Egypt for 46 years (1859 – 1813 BC), and his reign was known to be extremely peaceful and prosperous.
King Amenemhat III built 2 pyramids during his reign. He began building his first pyramid at Dahshur early after he took the throne; It was built at south Dahshur eight hundred years after king Sneferu built his Bent Pyramid.
In the Middle Kingdom, there was a continuation of pyramid building. Middle Kingdom pyramids were unusually complex in design than their Old Kingdom counterparts; they contained numerous corridors, staircases and rooms in order to deter thieves.
Architects began to build the pyramid out of mud brick and then cased the outside with white limestone. Without the smooth outside surface of limestone, the pyramid began to break and fall into pieces, and today it appears without its original beauty.
The design of the Black Pyramid was extremely complex, and it is extremely easy to lose your way in the many passages and corridors. The many chambers and corridors could represent an entry to the other life. The pyramid has a south eastern entrance as well as a western one, with staircases leading into the core of the pyramid. The eastern staircase leads to the king’s burial chamber through several corridors, and small chambers that spread out underneath the entire southeast section. The western passage divides into two sets of corridors and chambers under the southwest section.
When construction of the pyramid was almost complete, the architects of Amenemhat the third became aware of structural issues. The pyramid was being crushed under its own weight- walls and ceilings were being pushed down, and door frames began to collapse, so the workers quickly supported it with mud brick and cedar. While their quick reaction saved the pyramid from sudden collapse, it had to be abandoned as the burial place of the king. Amenemhat the third chose the Hawara site near the city of Fayoum, as the location of his new pyramid.
The capstone of the Black Pyramid of Amenemhat the third can now be seen at the Egyptian Museum. It was originally intended to sit on the top of the pyramid but it fell to the ground most likely by people looking for treasures.
Unfortunately, the black pyramid is not yet open for public; I hope the world will get the chance to see the beauty of the interior design of this pyramid one day.
