Description Layer Pyramid

1 description

1.1 location
1.2 superstructure
1.3 substructure

description
location

the layer pyramid lies close necropolis of zawyet el aryan, 8 km (5.0 mi) south-west of giza , 7 km (4.3 mi) north of saqqara. main structure located on rock ridge above floodplain.

superstructure

the layer pyramid has square base side 84 m (276 ft) long, smaller step pyramids of djoser , sekhemket. based on dimensions of pyramid of djoser, egyptologist jean-philippe lauer estimated layer pyramid planned comprise 5 steps , have reached c. 42–45 m (138–148 ft) in height. today, 2 of these steps remain, reaching height of 17 m (56 ft). current ruined state of pyramid allows view of core, 11 m (120 sq ft) pyramidal mound made of poor quality rough stone blocks taken local bedrock. core surrounded 2.6 m (8.5 ft) thick casing of same masonry. in turn surrounded 14 layers of mud bricks bonded clay mortar , disposed vertically, inward inclination angle of 68°. inner-most stone casing of pyramid core, each mud brick layer 2.6 m (8.5 ft) thick.

whether pyramid finished or left unfinished disputed among experts. egyptologist rainer stadelmann believes pyramid indeed finished, others, such miroslav verner, think building left unfinished because of pharaoh s premature death. in particular, no traces of outer cladding found, hint there never 1 because pyramid not completed.

mud bricks found @ base of pyramid, not associated pyramid itself, interpreted remnants of construction ramp.

substructure

section of pyramid, showing substructures.

the disposition of substructures of layer pyramid extremely similar found in buried pyramid of sekhemket. consequently, mark lehner , others suggest 2 pyramids must have been constructed close in time.

the entrance subterranean structures lies on east, disposition unparalleled until construction of pyramid of senusret ii, 1000 years later. egyptologists vito maraglioglio , celeste rinaldi proposed unique feature chosen egyptian architects in order free north side of pyramid construction of temple. aidan dodson showed in situation, pyramid construction ramp have impinged on northern temple construction more damagingly . rather, explains unique eastern entrance resulting desire architects allow easy access pyramid store rooms, located beneath eastern entrance.

the entrance leads 36 m (118 ft) long steep stairway , down on corridor heads west. corridor ends in straight vertical shaft, @ top of so-called upper corridor, unfinished passage goes south toward center of pyramid. @ bottom of shaft t-shaped crossway. left, crossway leads south lower corridor, half-way of narrow stairway, narrow sarcophagus hardly have been passed through it. lower corridor finishes in king s burial chamber. in area of stairway, barsanti drew gallery leading above burial chamber, gallery absent in reisner s , fisher s notes. right of t-shaped crossway u-shaped gallery system. ground plan of gallery system resembles of comb, comprising rows of chambers, totalling 32, possibly destined storage rooms gravegoods. gallery proved clean , empty, if workmen had left .

the king s burial chamber located 26 m (85 ft) below ground, square in shape, base of 3.63 m × 2.65 m (11.9 ft × 8.7 ft), , ceiling height of 3 m (9.8 ft). burial chamber contained no traces of sarcophagus, absence of artefacts in gallery, hints premature death of king.