Dahshur
The
necropolis of Dahshur is located 10 km to the south of
Saqqara, extending along the fertile land on the west
bank of the Nile. Eleven pyramids of the Old and Middle
Kingdom can be seen in Dahshur. Five of the most important
pyramids in Dahshur can be visited in a half-day excursion,
because of their proximity to Cairo. Not only the pyramids
and the desert are of interest, but also the fertile maize
fields of Dahshur, surrounding a long extended pond, which
served for thousands of years as a resting birds, are
worth the trip.
The height of the Red Pyramid is 101.15 metres and the
length of it's sides at the base is 213 metres. The pyramid
obtained it's name from the reddish limestone, used for
the outer casing.
Pyramids
of the Middle Kingdom
The three pyramids of the Middle Kingdom, from north to
south, were constructed by Sesostris III, Amenemhet II
and Amenenhet III. The northern and southern pyramids
were built of mud bricks and are called today the "Black
Pyramids". The middle pyramid is made of limestone
blocks and is therefore, named the "White Pyramid".