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The Red and Bent Pyramids of Snefru at Dashur
The two pyramids that Sneferu built at Dashur, the Bent and the Red pyramids, are the true ancestors of the pyramids at Giza. They were built of stone and must have required the same architectual, construction and organizational skills to complete.
The Bent Pyramid is so named because of the obvious bend in its side. The pyramid was planned to be larger than the Great Pyramid that was built later at Giza, but the foundation was insufficient for the weight. Even during the initial construction they were unable to control the shifting and cracking of the structure. As a compromise, they lessened the angle of the pyramid, thus reducing the weight of the upper courses of the stone. The pyramid was completed and was named "Sneferu is Shining."
Prior to building the Bent pyramid Sneferu built a step pyramid at Meidum that was converted to look like a conventional pyramid. It's name was "The Stable Pyramid."
However, he did not stop with two, he built a third and final pyramid at Dashur, near the Bent Pyramid, the Red Pyramid.
The Red Pyramid is a true conventional stone pyramid. It is named "Sneferu is Shining in the South."
Here is a sepia post card for the early tourist infrastructure at the Bent Pyramid.
