Historical excavations at Hawara (Humeima) Labyrinth since 18th century. 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
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
Related site: Pyramid of Amenemhat III at Hawara — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Ancient Accounts of the Labyrinth (s) In Egypt Hawara & Giza by DeDunking