The Builder Pharaoh
Pharaoh Sneferu, founder of Egypt's Fourth Dynasty and father of the famous Khufu (who built the Great Pyramid of Giza), was obsessed with pyramid construction. During his reign from approximately 2613 to 2589 BCE, Sneferu commissioned more pyramid construction than any other pharaoh in Egyptian history. The Red Pyramid was his crowning achievement—his third and final pyramid, and the first to achieve the perfect smooth-sided form that would define royal tombs for generations.
Before the Red Pyramid's success, Sneferu had faced significant challenges. His first pyramid at Meidum collapsed during construction, and his second attempt at Dahshur—known today as the Bent Pyramid—had to have its angle dramatically reduced midway through construction to prevent collapse. These failures taught Egyptian architects invaluable lessons about weight distribution, geometry, and structural integrity.
The Perfect Angle
Learning from the Bent Pyramid's structural problems, Sneferu's architects chose a gentler angle of inclination for the Red Pyramid: 43 degrees 22 minutes. This proved to be the perfect balance between aesthetics and stability. The pyramid originally stood 104 meters (341 feet) tall, making it the tallest structure in the world at the time of its completion and the third-largest pyramid in Egypt today, after Khufu's and Khafre's pyramids at Giza.
Why "Red" Pyramid?
The pyramid derives its modern name from the distinctive reddish hue of its core limestone blocks, which became visible after most of the smooth white Tura limestone casing was removed over the centuries. In ancient times, the pyramid would have gleamed brilliant white under the Egyptian sun, its polished limestone surface reflecting light across the desert. The ancient Egyptian name for this monument was "Sneferu Shines" or "The Shining Pyramid"—a fitting description for what must have been an awe-inspiring sight.
Today, visitors can still see remnants of the original white casing stones at the pyramid's base, offering a glimpse of its former glory. The contrast between the red core blocks and remaining white casing creates a striking visual effect, particularly during sunset when the pyramid seems to glow with an otherworldly warmth.
Modern Discovery & Excavation
While the Red Pyramid has been known since ancient times, serious archaeological investigation began in the 19th century. German Egyptologist Ludwig Borchardt extensively studied and surveyed the pyramid in the early 1900s. Unlike many other pyramids that had been plundered in antiquity, the Red Pyramid's burial chamber had remained relatively undisturbed for millennia, though no trace of Sneferu's mummy has been found.
The pyramid was opened to visitors in 1965, making it one of the few pyramids in Egypt where tourists can actually descend into the burial chambers. This accessibility, combined with its historical significance and the relative lack of crowds compared to Giza, makes the Red Pyramid one of Egypt's most rewarding archaeological sites to visit.