Dahshur Bent Pyramid Angle Adjustment circa 2600 BCE

Engineers abruptly changed the angle of a massive pyramid midway through construction, leaving a visible bend that still puzzles observers.

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The Bent Pyramid retains much of its original polished limestone casing, offering rare insight into how pyramids once appeared.

The Bent Pyramid at Dahshur was built during the reign of Sneferu in the Fourth Dynasty. Initially constructed at a steep angle of about 54 degrees, builders later reduced it to roughly 43 degrees. Structural instability likely prompted the adjustment. The visible change creates the pyramid's distinctive bent profile. The site preserves both original casing stones and internal passageways. It represents a critical experiment in pyramid geometry. Lessons from Dahshur informed later construction of the Red Pyramid. Engineering refinement emerged from observable risk.

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The Bent Pyramid highlights iterative design in ancient megaprojects. Adjusting the angle reduced structural stress and potential collapse. Architectural experimentation required rapid adaptation. State resources supported continued refinement rather than abandonment. Engineering knowledge advanced through practical correction. Monumental ambition evolved alongside technical insight.

Workers recalibrated their approach while construction was underway. The visible bend records decision-making frozen in stone. Modern engineers analyze its internal chambers for load distribution clues. The structure stands as testament to cautious correction. Innovation sometimes appears imperfect. Progress leaves angles behind.

Source

Encyclopaedia Britannica - Bent Pyramid

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