05b: Sneferu's Beauties

Jan 31, 2013

Dive into the fascinating world of King Sneferu, the ruler known for his architectural brilliance and love for beauty. Discover his transition from Step to True Pyramids at Meidum and Dahshur. Enjoy whimsical tales from the Westcar Papyrus, including a delightful pleasure cruise that adds a lighthearted touch to history. Uncover the recent archaeological marvels that showcase Sneferu’s innovations and his lasting impact on ancient Egypt. This exploration combines grandeur with charming stories, making history come alive!

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Architectural Wonders and Whimsical Tales of Sneferu

00:00 • 30min

The Architectural Legacy and Pleasures of Sneferu

30:09 • 3min

Magical mystery cruise. King Sneferu was a legendary ruler. His three pyramids at Meidum and Dahshur mark the transition from Step Pyramids to True Pyramids. But his legacy is more than stone. The King left other records and hints of his personality. We go in search of the ruler who loved beauty...

Episode details:

Recorded 2022.
Date: c. 2650 BCE.
Texts: The Westcar Papyrus (translation by Mark-Jan Nederhof).
Pyramids: The Meidum Pyramid, Bent Pyramid, and Red Pyramid (see all at wikimedia).
Logo image: Sneferu's pyramid at Meidum via Wikimedia.
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Select Bibliography:

N. Alexanian and F. Arnold, ‘The Complex of the Bent Pyramid as a Landscape Design Project’, in M. Ullmann (ed.), 10. Ägyptologische Tempeltagung (2016), 1—16. Online.
N. Alexanian et al., ‘Untersuchungen am unteren Aufweg der Knickpyramide in Dahschur’, Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts, Abteilung Kairo 68 (2012), 1—30.
F. Arnold, ‘A Ceremonial Building of King Snofru at Dahshur’, in M. Bietak and S. Prell (eds.), Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Near Eastern Palaces (2018), 113—124. Online.
G. Dormion and J.-Y. Verd’hurt, La chambre de Meidoum : analyse architecturale. 1, Texte (2013).
F. Monnier, ‘New Light on the Architecture of the Bent Pyramid’, Nile Magazine 20 (2019), 44—50. Online.
F. Monnier, ‘A New Survey of the Upper Chambers of Snefru’s Pyramids at Dahshur’, Journal of Ancient Egyptian Architecture 4 (2020), 1—17. Online.
M-J. Nederhof, “The Westcar Papyrus,” translation online.
L. Parys, Le récit du Papyrus Westcar : texte, traduction, interprétation (2017).
C. Reader, ‘The Meidum Pyramid’, Journal of the American Research Center in Egypt (2015), 203—224. Online.
D. Rosenow, ‘Dahschur, Ägypten. Die Arbeiten der Herbstkampagne 2019 und Frühjahrskampagne 2020’, Elektronische Publikationen Desdeutschen Archäologischen Instituts 2 (2020), 8—15. Online.
M. Verner, The Pyramids: The Archaeology and History of Egypt’s Iconic Monuments (2020).

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