The Pyramid of Menkaura is one of the three famous pyramids of the necropolis of Giza. It is the last of the large pyramids and is the smallest among them.
Where is the pyramid of Menkaura located?
It is located 25 kilometers from Cairo, exactly on the Giza plateau like the pyramids of Cheops and Chephren. The entire funerary complex of Mykerinos is located southwest of Chephren.
Who built the pyramid?
It is estimated that the pyramid was built in the fourth dynasty of the Ancient Egyptian Empire, under the rule of the pharaoh Menkaura (Egyptian name) or Mycerinus (from Greek Μυκερινος).
Mycerinus was the son of Chephren (pharaoh who also had the pyramid built under his name) and grandson of Cheops (to whom the great pyramid is attributed). According to data, Mycerinus assumed his reign as pharaoh after the death of Chephren around 2514 BC.
Why was the pyramid of Mycerinus built?
Like the other pyramids on the Giza plateau, it was built according to their customs, as a tomb for the pharaoh. According to the ancient Egyptians, after death, the pharaohs continued to demonstrate their power through the pyramids. This happened because, according to texts, they believed in life after death.
Among the three large pyramids of Giza, this is the only one where explorers were able to find human remains, mummies, and even a sarcophagus (which was lost and is believed to be the pharaoh’s) of basalt and one of wood.
The Pyramid of Mycerinus
Some Interesting Facts about the Pyramid of Mycerinos or the Pyramid of Menkaura
The original height of the pyramid was 66.5 meters. Today it is 62 meters and the base length is 108.5 meters. It is the third pyramid of the Giza plateau and smaller than the pyramids of Cheops and Kephren.
Over the years the pyramid has undergone several transformations, being its granite base visibly detached to be used in some later constructions in the history of the country.
Around 1186 (in the 12th century) Al-Aziz Uthman, son of Saladin tried to dismantle the pyramid leaving a deep cut on the north side. After eight months after this attempt, he gave up, as he did not succeed.
On the outside, you can see the remains of the funerary temple of Mycerinos, and further east, the ruins of his less excavated Valley Temple.
Among the greatest damages that the pyramid of Mycerinos has had throughout its history on account of man have been:
Sultan Osman Bey around the 12th century, in an attempt to find the entrance to the pyramids, had the pyramid of Mycerinos destroyed.
Towards the 19th century, the search was continued deeply but unsuccessfully by the explorer Vyse.
In the same 19th century, another explorer (Caviglia) attempted another search on the north face of the pyramid but failed to find anything.
The pyramid of Mycerinos marks the end of the era of the large pyramids. Although it seems a little less interesting than the other two, it also features several innovative architectural elements.
Architecturally speaking, the funerary complex of this pyramid is no different from the others. It is also composed of a central pyramid surrounded by a high temple, pavement that served as a pier, lower temple, and auxiliary pyramids.
This pyramid has three smaller annexed pyramids and they have a temple on its eastern side towards the east. One of these pyramids, on the north face no longer exists. The other two pyramids still exist and are very similar.
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