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| Meidum Pyramid |
Meidum, a site close the Faiyum served as a royal necropolis for the 3rd and
Fourth Dynasties. A step Pyramid at Meidum was probably began by Huni (2599–2575 B.C.E.) and completed by Snefru (2575–2551 B.C.E.). This pyramid was put up on an earthen platform and was composed originally of eight layers. The construction gave some time afterwards, possibly as late as the New Kingdom (1550–1070 B.C.E.). The outer casing, yet, was damaged and broke during construction. The mummies of several individuals were discovered in the leading debris. Inside transitions and chambers led to a vertical shaft and a burial room, which was lined with limestone. The remains of a wooden coffin were exposed in this corbeled chamber, and a mortuary temple was also found on the east side of the pyramid, holding two oval stelae. A causeway as well taken to a valley temple.
A series of Dynasty 4 (2575–2465 B.C.E.) mastaba tombs surround the pyramid, some holding amazing reliefs and statuary. The known Meidum geese paintings were part of the reliefs in the tomb of Neferma'at and his wife Atet. Nearby, the mastaba of Prince Rahotep and his married woman Nofret contained a different portrait style statue aggroup. The paintings and statues are in the
Egyptian Museum in Cairo. A
Dynasty 5 (2465–2323 B.C.E.) mummy was likewise found in Meidum.
