Traveling Encyclopedia
DASHUR- Overlooked Treasure
Dashur is the southernest site of the great Cairo archaeological area and is located a few kilometers south of Sakkara. The Dashur area includes 5 pyramids which are all still intact and visible today. Of these 5 pyramids there are only 2 which are in good condition currently. These Pyramids are named the "Bent Pyramid" and the "Red Pyramid" and were built during the 4th dynasty by Pharoah Snefru (2575-2551 BC). The southernest pyramid is named the "Bent Pyramid". This is so because the faces had been double inclined. The second good condition pyramid is the "Red Pyramid" features the same relative inclination of the bent one. Both these pyramids are 90 meters tall and have an internal burial chamber inside of them. The burial chambers consist of a very high ceiling with large stones.
When I visited the Dashur Pyramid Complex, there was no one else there but us. Dashur is often overlooked by tourist groups due to its far vicinity to Cairo and also because the Great Pyramids of Giza overshadow them. I believe though, that since they are not popular it makes them special in a way. When we went to Dashur in February 2010, the road to the Bent Pyramid was under construction and therefore was dangerous to drive a bus on it. So as a result we took pictures of it from a distance. These pictures turned out relatively good as the bent pyramid is only about a kilometer away from the Red Pyramid. Then we decided to go into the Red Pyramid. This made for quite an adventure as we had to climb up the pyramid in order to reach its entrance. This route at times proved to be very steep and would be unforgiving if you were to fall.
Once at the top we descended into the pyramid. The pyramid passage to the burial chamber was quite a long one. u The tunnel is only about 4 feet tall or less and is not good for people who are closterphobic. The tunnel is also quite steep and therefore if you fall you could potentially hurt yourself very badly. Once you have made it to the bottom there's really not anything interesting to see. All you see is tall walls with no design on them. After a minute or so you begin to realize the intense smell that is present down in this pyramid. The whole pyramid wreaks as if someone had taken a giant pee. The smell at times can be unbearable and the heat down in the burial chamber just worsens the smell. By the way you can expect the temperature to be on average 5 to 10 degrees F warmer in the pyramid then the outside temperature. At the end of the pyramid when you cannot walk anymore you are presented with a flight of stairs. Make sure you ascend these stairs in order to view the actual burial room itself. I, myself, did not wish to climb these stairs as I thought they were only for maintenance duty, but to my surprise they actually led to the burial room itself!! I recommend that you ascend these stairs in order to see this burial chamber. In my group only one person went up these stairs and said it was worth the trouble though as they found the burial chamber to be fascinating. After viewing the inside of the pyramid you have to ascend the narrow passage way again back up to the outside of the pyramid. This, for some, will be a challenge as the heat as now taken toll on your body. Once you get to the top you can feel the temperature difference. Just when you think you can relax, you now remember you have to descend the steep treacherous pathway which leads to the base of the pyramid.
Descending and ascending the pyramid has already made you tired and therefore this walk will be harder then before. At this point we saw one tour bus in the distance and this was a Japanese group. Our tour guide told us in the beginning that Japanese groups are usually the only groups who visit this site. My advice on this is to arrive early in the morning to Dashur even if only one or two tour groups come to it every day. I suggest this because often the Japanese tour groups are quite large and this could hinder your pyramid descent for a good hour if your unlucky. So, overall I liked Dashur and even though it's overlooked I believe this is for the better as it makes it more unique and special as it is off 'the beaten path', it's an overlooked wonder in ancient Egyptian history. Also, make sure to let your legs rest as they will most likely be very sore the next day.
When I visited the Dashur Pyramid Complex, there was no one else there but us. Dashur is often overlooked by tourist groups due to its far vicinity to Cairo and also because the Great Pyramids of Giza overshadow them. I believe though, that since they are not popular it makes them special in a way. When we went to Dashur in February 2010, the road to the Bent Pyramid was under construction and therefore was dangerous to drive a bus on it. So as a result we took pictures of it from a distance. These pictures turned out relatively good as the bent pyramid is only about a kilometer away from the Red Pyramid. Then we decided to go into the Red Pyramid. This made for quite an adventure as we had to climb up the pyramid in order to reach its entrance. This route at times proved to be very steep and would be unforgiving if you were to fall.
Once at the top we descended into the pyramid. The pyramid passage to the burial chamber was quite a long one. u The tunnel is only about 4 feet tall or less and is not good for people who are closterphobic. The tunnel is also quite steep and therefore if you fall you could potentially hurt yourself very badly. Once you have made it to the bottom there's really not anything interesting to see. All you see is tall walls with no design on them. After a minute or so you begin to realize the intense smell that is present down in this pyramid. The whole pyramid wreaks as if someone had taken a giant pee. The smell at times can be unbearable and the heat down in the burial chamber just worsens the smell. By the way you can expect the temperature to be on average 5 to 10 degrees F warmer in the pyramid then the outside temperature. At the end of the pyramid when you cannot walk anymore you are presented with a flight of stairs. Make sure you ascend these stairs in order to view the actual burial room itself. I, myself, did not wish to climb these stairs as I thought they were only for maintenance duty, but to my surprise they actually led to the burial room itself!! I recommend that you ascend these stairs in order to see this burial chamber. In my group only one person went up these stairs and said it was worth the trouble though as they found the burial chamber to be fascinating. After viewing the inside of the pyramid you have to ascend the narrow passage way again back up to the outside of the pyramid. This, for some, will be a challenge as the heat as now taken toll on your body. Once you get to the top you can feel the temperature difference. Just when you think you can relax, you now remember you have to descend the steep treacherous pathway which leads to the base of the pyramid.
Descending and ascending the pyramid has already made you tired and therefore this walk will be harder then before. At this point we saw one tour bus in the distance and this was a Japanese group. Our tour guide told us in the beginning that Japanese groups are usually the only groups who visit this site. My advice on this is to arrive early in the morning to Dashur even if only one or two tour groups come to it every day. I suggest this because often the Japanese tour groups are quite large and this could hinder your pyramid descent for a good hour if your unlucky. So, overall I liked Dashur and even though it's overlooked I believe this is for the better as it makes it more unique and special as it is off 'the beaten path', it's an overlooked wonder in ancient Egyptian history. Also, make sure to let your legs rest as they will most likely be very sore the next day.
