Meidum or Maidum Situated 32km to the northeast of Al Fayoum is the ruin of Meidum also called the Collapsed Pyramid. Meidum was the Egyptians first try at building a true pyramid...
MEIDUM OR MAIDUM
Situated 32km to the northeast of Al Fayoum is the ruin of Meidum also called the Collapsed Pyramid. Meidum was the Egyptians first try at building a true pyramid, obviously not a huge success as its name foretells, it eventually collapsed. Originally, it stood at 144m sq and 42m high, all that remains is a three-stepped core of stone standing 65m high looking more like a medieval fort than a pyramid.
The monument started as an eight step structure, then the steppes were filled in to make it smooth sided, then the outer casing was put on like icing on a cake. The concept must have sounded solid to the architects, unfortunately, the pyramid was not. It stood for a while (a while meaning maybe a century in pyramid years) then the pyramid’s own weight caused the sides to collapse.
The pyramid is not easy to get into, first there is a climb up a 30m stairway, situated on north side, then a descend to a 57m passage leading to the burial chamber, which is on same level as the foundations. Before you start huffing and puffing about the hardships of pyramid visiting, consider yourself lucky because not too many years ago visitors had to hang by their hands from the ledge above and drop into the entry, guided by a guard that made sure they did not break a few bones.
The riddle of the Pyramid: Some say it was started by pharaoh Huni (2637-2613BC) or (2613-2494BC) and his son Sneferu added the last touches. Others say that the idea was Huni’s but Sneferu was the original builder. Whatever the case, when it showed signs of collapsing, the architects learned from their mistakes and tried again with the Bent Pyramid at Dahshur. True to its name the Bent Pyramid leaned a little, they finally got it right with the Red Pyramid. The Egyptologists came to the conclusion that the architects built the pyramids in an assembly line fashion, whether there was a dead pharaoh to occupy the pyramid or not, figuring that “practice makes perfect”. Eventually this method proved convenient. When a pharaoh was about to die, he could pick the pyramid of his choice from the ones already on display.
Nearby are the mastabas of Sneferu’s family. The statues of Prince Ra-Hotep and his wife Nofret and Meidum Geese Frieze found in the tombs are now on display at the Cairo Museum.
The Pyramid is accessible from Benisuef. Because there is quite a bit of walking involved to reach the site, take a taxi either from Benisuef or Cairo (as per usual settle on the price first) and ask to be dropped at the Meidum turnoff. Tickets include admission to two mastabas and a ruined mortuary temple. Make sure to ask to see them or it will be conveniently forgotten.
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