The image shows the Pyramids of Dashur as imaged by an astronaut of the International Space Station.
Credit: NASA

NASA recently published a stunning image of a splendid archeological area in Egypt, the monuments of Dashur. The image was acquired by an astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The most remarkable features shown in the image are the two magnificent pyramids of Dashur: the Red Pyramid and the Bent Pyramid. These pyramids were the first true pyramids in history. They were built by King Snefru (2613-2589 BC), the founder of the 4th Dynasty (The chronology of ancient Egypt is not precise, and its dates are regarded as approximate.)

Dashur is a small beautiful village, located 40 km south of Cairo. The Dashur royal cemetery is located near the village, in the desert. This necropolis features pyramid complexes from the Old and Middle Kingdoms of Egypt. Below is an annotated enlarged version of the image.

Credit: NASA

The Bent Pyramid, also known as the Rhomboidal or False Pyramid, is an amazing huge structure. Its height is 101 m, and the side of its base is 188 m long. The lower part of the pyramid has an angle of inclination of 54 degrees, but at a height of about 47 m, the angle of inclination of the pyramid changes to 43 degrees. A small pyramid, known as the satellite pyramid, is visible just south of the Bent Pyramid.

Several theories have been put forward to explain the unusual design of the Bent Pyramid, including that the change in the angle of the pyramid’s inclination was to reduce the amount of labor, required to complete the pyramid. This pyramid is also believed to be a transitional stage between the step pyramids of the 3rd Dynasty and the true pyramids.     

The Red Pyramid, named for the light reddish hue of its stones, is believed to be the first true, cased pyramid in Egypt. It is 104 m in height, and the side of its base is 220 m long. The angle of its inclination is 43 degrees. It is believed that it was built after the Bent Pyramid. It is also known as the North Pyramid, as it is located to the north of the Bent Pyramid.

The image was acquired on 30 May 2008. Other monuments visible in this image include the pyramids complexes of King Senusert III (1878-1860 BC) and King Amenemhat III (1860-1815 BC), both kings of the 12th Dynasty (1991-1783 BC). The two complexes are ruined, due to unstable ground conditions, and dismantling of the pyramid casings, during later historical periods.

There are more than 100 pyramids in Egypt. Most of these pyramids are located in the Governorate of Giza. They were built as tombs for the pharaohs and their consorts, during the Old and Middle Kingdoms, in an era that lasted about 1,000 years.

Further reading

International Space Station
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
NASA
www.nasa.gov/

Aymen Mohamed Ibrahem
Senior Astronomy Specialist