Meidum

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.

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