The main pyramid of Ahmose I at Abydos originally stood around 45m tall with a 52.5m base and a steep 60° slope. Unlike Old Kingdom pyramids, it had no substructure and functioned as a cenotaph rather than a tomb. British archaeologist Arthur C. Mace discovered it in 1899.
Main Pyramid of Ahmose I: dimensions, 60° slope, and cenotaph status
Key facts
- Complex arranged along a southwest to northeasterly axis including a stone pyramid, temple, mudbrick pyramid, subterranean rock structure, terrace temple foundations, cemetery, and town
- Today the main pyramid is a 10m high sandy mound of rubble because the fine limestone casing was removed
- Original base length approximately 52.5m (172 ft) and height approximately 40m (130 ft)
- 20m shorter than the Menkaure pyramid at Giza and 100m shorter than the Great Pyramid; similar in height to the pyramid of Unas at Saqqara
- Inclination of the sides was 60°, steeper than the lower half of the Bent Pyramid (54°)
- Unlike Old Kingdom pyramids, it has no substructure and functioned as a cenotaph rather than a tomb
- Pyramid was visible from the Nile floodplain to the north and limestone cliffs 1km to the south
- Discovered in 1899 by British archaeologist Arthur C. Mace; work continued by Charles T. Currelly
Site mentioned
📍 Pyramid of Ahmose I at Abydos
Sources
archive.org
Linked in video description
Expedition Magazine | An Elite Necropolis in South Abydospenn.museum
The portion of the site excavated during the 2023 season encompassed approximately 40 burials ranging from simple pit burials to large, multi-chambered shaft ...
ABYDOS - Institute for the Study of Ancient Culturesisac.uchicago.edu
View of the Ahmose pyramid mound at South Abydos. Page 2. http://oi.uchicago ... cates that it had dimensions of 25 ≈ 40 meters, with what seems to be a ...
Pyramid of Ahmoseen.wikipedia.org
Pyramid of Ahmose ; Ahmose I, 18th Dynasty · Cenotaph · sand and rubble inside a limestone casing · 45 m (148 ft) (original) 10 m (33 ft) (current).
AHMOSE PYRAMID AT ABYDOStouregypt.net
Originally, it was probably some 52.5 meters (172 ft) square with a similar or slightly smaller height. Mace estimated, from the remains of two intact courses ...
Pyramid of Ahmose (Archeological site)mapy.com
The Pyramid of Ahmose, built between 1550-1525 BC in Abydos, is unique because it was the only royal pyramid designed from the outset as a memorial monument ...
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