Historical excavations at Hawara (Humeima) Labyrinth since 18th century

December 21, 2025

EgyptGeneral

Pyramid complex3000 - 1500 BC

Source: Ancient Accounts of the Labyrinth (s) In Egypt Hawara & Giza by DeDunking

Site mentioned

📄 Pyramid of Amenemhat III at Hawara 🌍 Show on the globe

Archaeology at Hawara spans nearly two centuries ⛏️ Early explorers visited the site, but Lepsius conducted the first large-scale excavation at Hawara in 1843, documenting the site and attempting to enter the pyramid. Flinders Petrie's excavations in 1888 and 1911 revealed a large structure south of the pyramid that scholars associated with the labyrinth. Later digs in 1995 and 2000 didn't reach underground chambers. In 2008, archaeologists discovered remains of a lost labyrinth underground beneath the pyramid of Hawara. Some structures turned out Roman-era.

Key facts

French expedition in 1799-1800 (Jamard and Keristy) wrongly identified mudbrick walls as labyrinth
Carl Richard Lepsius excavated at Hawara (Humeima) in 1843, first large-scale excavation there
Flinders Petri's excavations proved large structure south of the pyramid was the labyrinth
Egyptian inspectorate excavated in 1995 and 2000
Excavations were not deep enough to find the underground chambers described in ancient accounts
Some structures identified by Lepsius turned out to be Roman in date