The Pyramid of Mikerin is the third of the grand tombs of Giza. Pyramid of Mikerin: description, history Archaeological discovery associated with the pyramid of Mikerin

The tomb of Pharaoh Mikerin, erected in the 26th century BC. BC, was destined to become the last of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Despite the fact that this pyramid is not so impressive in scale, many important archaeological discoveries and interesting facts are associated with it.

In ancient times, the pyramid of Mikerin was known as "Necher er-Minkau-Ra", which meant "Minkau-Ra is divine". Mikerin or Menkaure (literally “the unshakable genius of Ra”). is the 6th pharaoh of the IV dynasty of the Old Kingdom, who reigned around 2530-2510 BC. Few sources about the time of his reign have been preserved, so it is difficult to give an unambiguous description of the personality and state policy of this ruler, but the appearance of the pharaoh was reconstructed from statues found near his pyramid.

Mikerin triad

Mikerin was a direct descendant of the creators of the other two great pyramids of Giza, the grandson of Cheops and the son of Khafre. He ascended the throne already in adulthood. Herodotus writes about him as a fair ruler who, unlike his predecessors, forced people less into construction work. It is generally accepted that he died before the construction of the pyramid was completed.

Description of the Pyramid of Mikerin

Dimensions. At the time of completion of construction, the base of the pyramid was 102.2 m x 104.6 m, and the height was 65.55 m (currently 62 m). This structure is significantly smaller in size than the tombs of Cheops and Khafre, but occupies an honorable third among the Great Pyramids. The Pyramid of Mikerinus is located 200 m from the above tombs.
Peculiarities. The Pyramid of Menkaure largely repeats the layout and technique. At the same time, its construction was associated with a lot of difficulties, because the plateau in the chosen location was uneven. For the main masonry, limestone was used from a quarry located near the pyramid.

The cladding of the first tiers and the top was made of red granite, while the middle was decorated with white limestone. The remains of the cladding have survived to this day. To build this pyramid, larger blocks were used than for the tombs of Cheops and Khafre, although they were less polished. Herodotus writes that the latter feature was explained by the order of the pharaoh, who wanted to make life easier for the workers.

What is inside? The entrance to the pyramid is at a height of 4 m. It opens a passage 32 m long, which leads to a panel chamber. There were several false doors here. You can get into the burial chamber where the sarcophagus was located through the vestibule and a horizontal tunnel. The burial chamber was not immediately discovered by researchers, since the tunnels were deliberately camouflaged.

Mikerinus's burial chamber is 6.5 m long, 3.5 m high and 2.3 m wide. It is worth mentioning the side chamber with small niches. There is controversy regarding her appointment. In general, in terms of the level of preservation of the mummy, the tomb of Menkaure is ahead of the other Great Pyramids. The burial chamber is located deeper, fenced stronger and better camouflaged.

A few facts from the history of the pyramid

The tomb of Mikerin differs from the neighboring great pyramids not only in size, but also in the large groove on the surface. This is not the architect’s idea, but the result of the labors of Sultan al-Aziz, the son of the famous Saladin. In the 12th century, this sultan decided to dismantle the Egyptian pyramids. Whether he was looking for treasure or simply wanted to become famous in such an unconventional way is unknown, but he decided to start with the pyramid of Mikerin. But Sultan al-Aziz did not take into account that dismantling pyramids is no less difficult than building them. The crazy idea ended after 8 months. Its only result was a large furrow.

Speaking of treasures. According to scientists, the pyramids of Cheops, Khafre and Mikerin were robbed 4 thousand years ago during the so-called “first transition period”. The first known European to enter the burial chamber of the Menkaure pyramid was Colonel Howard Weiss. This happened in the second third of the 19th century. But instead of treasures, he found two sarcophagi here.

One was wooden and belonged to the Roman era. It is now in the British Museum. The other was made of basalt and most likely belonged to Pharaoh Menkaure. True, during transportation to England, this sarcophagus sank somewhere in the Strait of Gibraltar.

Archaeological discovery related to the Pyramid of Mikerinus

During the reign of Mikerin, the funerary complex, in addition to the pyramids, included a funeral temple, where they prayed and made sacrifices to the former pharaoh as a deity. The Temple of Mikerin was discovered in 1908. During the excavations, archaeologists found 7 large statues made of slate. 4 sculptural compositions depicted the pharaoh accompanied by two goddesses. They eventually became known as the Mykerinus triads. Researchers note that in the triads the image of the ruler replaced the Egyptian god Horus.

The described discovery became another sensation, because the found statues were perfectly preserved. "Triads" can be seen at the Cairo Museum and the Boston Museum of Art. A sculptural couple of a pharaoh and his wife and a life-size alabaster statue of a seated Egyptian ruler were also discovered in the temple.

The reduction of the state treasury and the relative modesty of Mikerinus caused his tomb to be noticeably smaller in size than the pyramids of his predecessors. At the same time, it was the location next to the grandiose tombs that made the pyramid of Menkaure world famous.

Today we will talk about the third pyramid, which was built in Giza. The first two were the pyramid of Khafre, as well as the pyramid of Cheops. Of those mentioned, it is the smallest. The length of the base reaches 108.5 meters, the total volume of the pyramid is also small and equal to 260 thousand m. cube An interesting fact is that the pyramid of Mikerin is called high. This name comes from the translation of the nickname “Heru”. Its actual height is 66 meters, which is lower than most pyramids in Egypt. And it was built at an even smaller height. But as the status of the emperor increased, the pyramid was gradually completed. Today we will talk about the third pyramid, which was built in Giza. The first two were the pyramid of Khafre, as well as the pyramid of Cheops. Of those mentioned, it is the smallest. The length of the base reaches 108.5 meters, the total volume of the pyramid is also small and equal to 260 thousand m. cube An interesting fact is that the pyramid of Mikerin is called high. This name comes from the translation of the nickname “Heru”. Its actual height is 66 meters, which is lower than most pyramids in Egypt. And it was built at an even smaller height. But as the status of the emperor increased, the pyramid was gradually completed.

There are many historical documents and evidence that the most beautiful Egyptian pyramid is the pyramid of Mikerin. Well, or she was. It was built after the construction of the first two pyramids. This means that the experience of successes and failures accumulated in the past was used here. Here it is immediately worth mentioning that in the tomb inside the pyramid there is a block of stone whose weight reaches a record 200 tons. Agree that this already speaks in favor of the skill of the builders and architect. If we consider all the lands of Giza, here it is the heaviest monolithic pebble. In general, here it was clear to the naked eyes of scientists that everything inside testified to the desire to build everything beautifully and correctly. The statue of the king, which stands in the central chapel of the tomb, looks simply magnificent.

As for the external frame of the structure, here too the builders showed originality of thinking and ideas. The cladding of the lower part of the pyramid was very beautiful. Its third was lined with red granite, the middle part was hidden by another material - it was Tura limestone, and the upper part repeated the coating of the lower one. This created layers of different colors. Today, learned Egyptologists believe that it was the pyramid of Mykerinus that marked the end of the era of construction of such structures. Pyramids were also built in the future, but they were all more modest and the height of none of them exceeded 20 meters.

Let's take a look at the cross-section diagram of the Mikerin pyramid:

In the picture everything can be seen extremely clearly. Here in the plan there are two burial chambers, as well as corridors, one of which comes to a dead end. Near the pyramid there are two more tombs, which were most likely built for the wives of the pharaoh. Here, during the excavations, scientists were lucky, and inside one of the burial chambers a sarcophagus was found, inside which was a mummy. It is believed that this was Mikerin himself. There was no study of the mummy, since the ship with it sank while transporting it to its destination. Mysticism and nothing more.

Of course, as happened with other pyramids, the original exterior design was also not preserved here. The pyramid was destroyed as a result of numerous wars.

In the 16th century AD, severe damage was caused by an attack by the Mamluks. Residents stole granite slabs and the walls were significantly damaged. Today, the pyramids are a large influx of profit for the state treasury at the expense of tourists. Therefore, the Egyptian government wants to reconstruct the appearance of the pyramid.

Pyramid of Mikerin (Egypt) - description, history, location. Exact address, phone number, website. Tourist reviews, photos and videos.

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The Pyramid of Mikerin is located on the Giza plateau next to other equally famous Egyptian pyramids - Cheops and Khafre. Compared to its “giant” neighbors, this is the smallest (its height is only 62 m) and the “youngest” pyramid of the famous triad.

The Pyramid of Mikerin is well preserved and is open to all visitors. To avoid the influx of tourists - and there are always crowds of them at the main attractions of Egypt - it is better to go on an excursion not at the height of the day, but, say, early in the morning or in the evening.

The peculiarity of Mikerin's pyramid is that it was two-colored. Up to the middle, the ancient builders made the pyramid from red granite, and above they used white limestone. But in the 16th century, almost the entire cladding of the structure was destroyed by Mamluk warriors.

Scientists associate the relatively small size and height of this pyramid not with the insufficient skill of the architects, but with the beginning of the “decline” of the era of the great pyramids. We can say that after the pyramid of Mikerin, the Egyptians stopped building such grandiose tombs.

Despite this fact, the Pyramid of Mykerinus at Giza continues to amaze contemporaries. Take, for example, the slabs that the builders used to cover the pharaoh’s burial room. The largest stone block, according to conservative estimates, weighs more than 200 tons! I wonder what technical devices the ancient Egyptians had that helped them out like that?

By the way, in some photographs the pyramid looks taller than its “brothers” - Cheops and Khafre. According to travelers, the trick lies in choosing the right shooting angle. Well, then this trip is worth it to discover another secret of the ancient pyramids...

Price issue

An excursion to the Pyramid of Mykerinus is usually included in a general trip to Cairo and also includes visits to other Egyptian attractions.

The cost of the trip - and it lasts all day - includes bus transfer, entrance tickets to all attractions and guide services.

Address: Al Haram, Giza

Prices on the page are as of November 2018.

Ancient monuments continue to surprise and delight humanity. A striking example is the Pyramid of Mykerinus - the “youngest” among the complex of monumental tombs in Giza. Even schoolchildren know that in the suburbs of Cairo in Egypt there are unique attractions - ancient monuments of art in the form of the three Great Pyramids and the mysterious sad Sphinx. Pharaoh Menkaur (Mikerin) was the last to build his personal tomb, following his grandfather and father. Tourists look at the pyramids in order of priority:

• the largest tomb of Cheops (Khufu);
• the second is the tomb of Khafre, the father of Menkaure;
• Pyramid of Mikerin.

Description of the Pyramid of Mikerin

Absolutely all connoisseurs of antiquities know where the Pyramid of Mikerin is located. The location of the tomb is the southern side of the Giza complex. The amazing structure in some photos seems to be the tallest. But this is only an optical illusion caused by the photography angle. The ancients named the tomb with the strange name Heru, which means “high.” Why? This remains a sealed secret.

Pharaoh Menkaur built his tomb, following the traditions of his grandfather and father, the dimensions and height corresponding to:

• initially the pyramid rose 66 meters;
• now no more than 62 meters;
• In terms of volume, the grandson’s tomb is 10 times smaller than the tomb of the great grandfather.

The majestic structure looked completely different until the 16th century. Approximately 1/3 of the height of the walls from the base was lined with the most beautiful red Aswan granite. The ancients called the pyramid the red one. Above, the walls were lined with snow-white Tura limestone, shining in the rays of the sun. It is assumed that the top was also made of granite, but now it is difficult to say for sure. The Mamluks removed the lining and the tomb acquired the appearance in which it has come down to us.

The tombs of Khufu and Khafre fall into disrepair more and more over time. Their “little sister” looks very young in comparison. Tourists can see the pyramid at any time. But professional travelers recommend going on an excursion to Giza early in the morning or later - towards evening, when the main flow of visitors has subsided. You will have to use the services of an individual guide, but the fascinating history is worth some sacrifices.

The pyramid has satellites - three small tombs located slightly away from the main structure. It is assumed that one of the satellite pyramids belongs to the daughter of Menkaure - Khentkaus. The other two contain the pharaoh's wives.

Unlike Cheops and Khafre, Menkaur built his tomb differently. The dimensions were initially planned to be completely different - 60x60 at the base. Historians suggest that Menkaure was not his father's heir. But then the situation changed and the area of ​​the building was increased in the process. Therefore, the layout of the tomb is not similar to the “elder” pyramids.

The burial chamber is also located differently. In the tombs of my grandfather and father, the sarcophagi were installed in special walled rooms located on top of the building. Menkaure decided differently - his burial chamber was made below ground level. At first the tomb was designed at a depth of 6 meters, but then for safety reasons it was lowered lower.

In 1873, a basalt sarcophagus and a mummy coffin made of wood and protected by the special Nut prayer were found. They tried to transport the find to the British Museum. Unfortunately, the ship with the sarcophagus crashed in Gibraltar and sank. And the wooden mummy was delivered to its destination. Scientists did radiocarbon dating and found that the objects belong to approximately the 1st century AD. That is, they cannot be the tomb of Pharaoh Menkaure.

Legends of the Pharaoh

The famous Herodotus left interesting reviews about Menkaure. The historian of antiquity characterizes the pharaoh as a pious and tolerant ruler. On his orders, an audit of the temples was carried out and the mysterious “Book of the Dead” was found.

Menkaure spent his entire life under the weight of the oracle's prediction, which prophesied that the ruler would die without sitting on the throne for even a decade. In response, the wise pharaoh “confused” day with night, spending time in merry feasts and bodily pleasures. Thus, he “increased” his daytime pastime by half, deceiving fate.

There are records in ancient sources that the builders of the tomb claimed that they were building the tomb of a “drunkard.” Egyptologists are confident that the translation of the authentic text is true. Menkaur indeed often indulged in joyful libations. But Herodotus claims that this was a way to “stretch” the time limited by the oracle’s prediction.

Should we believe ancient legends? You can try to find the answer to the question by using the services of “Excursians” - buy a tour to Egypt and see the mysterious pyramids in person. The mysteries of history are difficult to comprehend.

The pyramid of Mikerin (Menkaure) is the smallest and “youngest” of all three pyramids of the complex. The pyramid of Mikerin, the grandson of Cheops, is located 200 meters from the pyramid of Khafre. Its height is 62 meters, and its side length is about 109 meters. Initially, it was 4 meters higher, but retained the length of the sides, because sand deposits protected the lower

part of its lining. This facing - made of red Aswan granite - initially covered the pyramid for almost a third of its height, then it was replaced by white slabs of Tura limestone, and the top, in all likelihood, was also red granite. It was so two-colored back in the 16th century, until it was robbed by the Mamelukes. At first, the pyramid had a base of approximately 60x60 meters, and only later it was almost doubled. Pharaoh Menkaure ordered his burial chamber to be hewn out just 6 meters below the base, but in the next phase of construction he lowered it to a safer depth. For the construction of the pyramid, he ordered the use of large blocks, much larger in size than in the pyramids of Khufu or Khafre. He wanted to speed up construction and therefore did not force the workers to carefully process the stone. But, despite the haste, which can be felt even after millennia, Menkaure clearly did not live to see the completion of the pyramid. He probably died when it reached about twenty meters in height, i.e. level of granite facing. Unlike the others, the pyramid of Menkaure does not stand on a rocky foundation, but on an artificial terrace made of limestone blocks. The burial chamber is relatively small - only 6.5x2.3 meters and 3.5 meters high. The ceiling is made of two blocks, hewn from below like a semi-arch, so that the impression of a vault is created. The walls of the burial chamber and the entrance corridor are lined with polished granite; the corridor with the original tomb and rooms for funeral utensils was connected by a staircase. When British Colonel Howard Vance entered the burial chamber of this pyramid in 1837, he discovered a basalt sarcophagus, a wooden coffin lid in the form of a human figure and bones. The sarcophagus sank along with the ship transporting it to England, and the dating of the coffin lid and bones attributed them to the era of early Christianity. In front of the Pyramid of Mykerinus, there are three companion Pyramids, which are even smaller than the companions of the Pyramid of Cheops. The companion pyramid on the eastern side, originally faced with pink granite, was undoubtedly intended for the wife of Pharaoh Harmer-Nshti II. The mortuary complex of Mikerin was poorly preserved, since some parts of it, built hastily from raw brick, soon collapsed. Link to