The Ancient Names Of The Pyramids

We know Egypt’s pyramids by names such as the ‘Bent Pyramid’, ‘Red Pyramid’ and ‘Meidum Pyramid’ but their ancient names are far more poetic, as revealed by Andrew Fulton.

- Andrew Fulton

To the ancient Egyptians, a name was important. The name of a person formed part of their existence both in life and in the afterlife, while the multiplicity of names and epithets for the pharaohs were highly significant, encapsulating the king’s ‘mission statement’ and allegiance to a particular god (see AE82 and AE83). What is perhaps less well known is that the pyramids also had their own names which incorporated the name of the pharaoh who built them. Not all of these names have survived, but the names we do know are always preceded by the name of the pharaoh and end with the hieroglyph for a pyramid or, in the case of Shepseskaf, a mastaba.

Fourth Dynasty c. 2613-2494 BC

Sneferu

Sneferu Endures

The earliest pyramid names to survive are those of the Fourth Dynasty pharaoh Sneferu. Sneferu built several pyramids, with one at Meidum and two at Dahshur. There are also a number of small step pyramids dotted across Upper Egypt which were probably built by Sneferu, but whose purpose remains a mystery. The one at Seila has definitely been identified as belonging to him. The pyramid at Meidum (Sneferu Endures) was the first, built originally as a step pyramid but later converted into a true pyramid and which today (see opposite, top) is in a collapsed state. It is known locally as Haram el-Kaddeb or the False Pyramid. The next two are at Dahshur:

Sneferu Appears/Shines – Pyramid of the South