The Red Pyramid-Giza

Red Pyramid, so named for the light red color of its exposed granite surface (it is called el-haram el-watwat - the bat pyramid - on site), is the largest of the three main pyramids located in the necropolis of Dachur, and it is the third largest Egyptian pyramid, after those of Cheops and Chephren in Giza. When it was finished, it was the largest human-created structure in the world. It is also believed that it was the first "true" pyramid with smooth sides in the world. It was originally covered with blocks of polished limestone, but only a few of these remain at the base of the pyramid.

It was built during the reign of Pharaoh Seneferu, and some suggest it was the place of his final rest. It is located approximately one kilometer north of the curved pyramid and took about 17 years to complete. [2] It is built with the same shallow angle of 43 degrees, as well as the upper section of the curved pyramid, which gives it a noticeably lower appearance than that of other Egyptian pyramids of comparable scale.

Archaeologists speculate that the reason for this may be a result of engineering crises experienced during the construction of the two most recent pyramids at Seneferu. The first of these, the pyramid at Meidum collapsed in antiquity, while the second - the curved pyramid - had its angle of inclination dramatically changed - from 52 to 43 degrees.

Some archaeologists now believe that the Meidum pyramid was the first attempt to build a pyramid with smooth sides, and that it may have collapsed when construction of the curved pyramid was already underway - and that the latter may have started to show alarming signs of instability, as evidenced by the presence of large wooden stakes that support the internal chambers. The result of this was the change in the inclination of the curved pyramid, and the delayed start of the Red Pyramid to an inclination known to be less susceptible to instability and therefore less susceptible to catastrophic collapse.

A rare pyramid, or spike, for the Red Pyramid has been discovered and rebuilt, and is now on display in Dachur - however, it is not clear whether it was ever used, as its angle of inclination differs from that for which the pyramid appears was thought of.

The Red Pyramid is one of the very few that can be climbed from the inside. The high entrance on the north side allows access to a 62m (200 ft) long passage that slopes downwards at an angle of about 27º. This passage measures approximately 91cm (3 feet) high and 1.23m (4 feet) wide. It is not recommended for anyone suffering from anything other than mild claustrophobia. The presence of bats causes a strong smell of ammonia, which makes it a relief to reach the surface. Once the end of the passage is reached, the person enters, through a short corridor, into the first chamber, which has a height of 12.3m (40 feet). It is a good example of a ceiling supported by corbels, with eleven layers of stone blocks. In the southern part of the chamber, another short corridor leads to the second chamber, which has similar dimensions to the first and also displays the ceiling supported by corbels. This chamber is located just below the top of the pyramid. A wooden staircase in the southern part of this chamber leads to the third and final chamber. This is believed to be the burial chamber. It also has a ceiling supported by corbels and is about 15.24m (50 feet) high.