Excavations at Abu Rawash reveal massive scale: Petrie documented limestone block courses forming the nucleus of what would have been a significant pyramid. The natural bedrock at the site and the unfinished state of construction have been documented through modern excavations. The site contains a large pit structure and evidence of sophisticated construction techniques, including granite casing stones that appear unfinished with rough outer faces.
Site features 10 limestone courses, deep trench, pit and boat pit
EgyptGeneral
Site mentioned
Key facts
- Petrie documented 10 courses of limestone blocks around the pit, creating a mass approximately 300 ft square and 40 ft high
- The natural limestone bedrock dips approximately 12 degrees east to west
- If completed, natural rock would have constituted around 30-44% of the pyramid's total volume
- The trench is 7.5m at its widest, with a base width of 5.5m and 49m in length
- The pit measures 22m by 9m with a depth of around 20m below the top of the nucleus
- The trench angle of inclination was measured as 22 degrees by Petrie but later found to be 27-28 degrees
- Fine Tura limestone was used to line the trench, with traces of 4th dynasty pink mortar found
- The boat pit is 37m long and 9.5m in depth with steps cut into the rock at its ends
- Granite casing stones were found unfinished with rough, undressed outer faces
Sources
independent.academia.edu
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