Cairo Islamic & Christian Giza Sakkara Memphis Dahshur Dahshur Dahshur is a remote desert pyramid field of great significance in the history of  pyramid  building. The two Old  Kingdom  pyramids  at  the  site were constructed by 4th-Dynasty king Sneferu ( 2613-2589 BC ), father of Khufu, the builder of the Great  Pyramid. Chronologically they come after Sakkara and Meidum and before Giza and Abu-Sir. The Bent Pyramid is considered to be Egypt’s first proper pyramid because until this time pyramids were stepped, like Djoser’s at Sakkara. The prevailing  theory  is that the pyramid is bent because once it began to  rise  the   whole   structure  became  unstable  and  so  it  had  to  be completed at a shallower slope. Unusually  for pyramids dating from this period,  much  of  its  outer  limestone  casing is still intact, giving a good impression of  what a visually stunning sight it must once have been. Not happy with  his  Bent  Pyramid, in  the  thirtieth year of his reign Sneferu began  construction of  the  northern Red Pyramid, so called because of its ancient red  graffiti. Second  in  size only to the Great Pyramid, it can be entered  via  a  passage  on the north face. At the foot of a long shaft are three chambers,  two of  which  have  corbelled ceilings - where the arch  is  formed  by   a  series  of  steps. The  two  smaller  pyramids  at Dahshur  date  from  the  Middle Kingdom, when  there was a revival in pyramid building. They are badly dilapidated and of less interest.