The Black Pyramid at Dahshur appears dark because its white limestone casing collapsed and was later quarried, exposing the mudbrick core. Built for Amenemhat III, its collapse is linked to inadequate foundations and a mudbrick core unable to carry the heavy limestone casing; poor material quality also contributed. Ramses II reused the casing stone. Its interior contains several passages and chambers, including a chamber with a massive limestone roof and a granite sarcophagus. The video argues that some fragments show molecular-level heat alteration consistent with vitrification; that is the presenter's disputed claim, not an established finding. A basalt pyramidion fragment found in 1900 survives.
Black Pyramid: Video advances a disputed vitrification claim
EgyptArchitecture
Site mentioned
Key facts
- The Black Pyramid stands at Dahshur, roughly 2 km east of Snefru's Bent Pyramid and south of Saqqara.
- Built for Amenemhat III, it had a base of about 105 m and an original height of about 75 m.
- Its dark appearance results from the loss of the white Tura-limestone casing, exposing the mudbrick core.
- Published summaries give slopes of about 55 degrees in the upper section and 59 degrees in the lower; the stated 54–57 degree fragment range and 54 degree pyramidion angle are not independently established by the supplied results.
- The video argues that some fragments are warped, fused and sintered by molecular-level heat. This is the presenter's disputed vitrification theory, not an established archaeological finding.
- The collapse is linked to inadequate foundations and a mudbrick core unable to bear the heavy limestone casing; poor material quality also contributed.
- Ramses II later removed casing stone for reuse.
- The interior has multiple passages and chambers. Descriptions identify a massive limestone chamber roof and a separate granite sarcophagus, not an entirely granite-built central chamber.
- A basalt pyramidion fragment found in the ruined pyramid temple in 1900 is listed at about 1.85 m by 1.40 m and 4.5 tonnes.
Sources
universeinsideyou.systeme.io
Linked in video description
The Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III: History, Content & Factsegypttoursportal.com
The basalt capstone is known to measure 1.85 meters in base length and 1.40 meters in height and weighs approximately 4.5 tonnes.
The Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III | Egypt Tour Packahgesegypttourpackages.com
Located approximately 2km east of Snefru's Bent Pyramid in Dahshur, there is a ruined structure that stands out from the sand.
Discover the Mysteries of the Black Pyramid in Dahshursunpyramidstours.com
Its base stretches to an impressive 105 meters in length, with a remarkably steep incline of 57 degrees, The basalt capstone measures 1.85 ...
PDF: The Black Pyramid of Amenemhet III at Dahshur, A ...academia.edu
If such a 46 massive limestone roof was built at the Black pyramid, it would have settled, protecting the chamber below; much like the paving slabs in the ...
Black Pyramiden.wikipedia.org
Height, c. 75 meters. Base, 105 meters. Slope, 59° (lower) 55° (upper). It is one of the five remaining pyramids of the original 11 pyramids at Dahshur in Egypt ...
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