Black Pyramid

What makes it special

It shows as a dark mound on the desert floor. Its core was built of mudbrick and clay with no internal walls, materials prone to decay, and once the limestone casing was taken away the brick was left open to the weather.

The brick has crumbled and much of it has collapsed. The shape has weathered down until it looks more like a sandstone butte than a pyramid, and that exposed dark core gave it the name Black Pyramid.

The damage came from below as well. Groundwater from the Nile seeped into the structure and weakened the brick further.

Its stone pyramidion, the capstone from the very tip, is on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Visiting

From the Bent Pyramid, look east across the desert for a mound of dark rubble in the distance. That is the Black Pyramid, about a kilometre, or just over half a mile, beyond the Bent.

For a higher view, climb the first couple of staircases up the side of the Bent and look out from there. Dahshur is much less crowded than the Giza pyramids, so you are unlikely to wait for a clear spot on the stairs.

The mound is also in view in the distance when you visit the Red Pyramid, so look for it again from there.

Tips

Pack a good telephoto lens and use it from the stairs. With one, you can take excellent photographs of the mound.

Water and snacks have to come with you, because the site sells neither food nor drink. A couple of security men may offer to take your picture or to show you other spots, and they will want a tip in return. If you do not want to pay, say no before they start.