The
Bent Pyramid at Dahshur represents the
transition between these two building
techniques; its lower section is built
of sloping courses, while in its upper
section the stones are laid horizontally.
During the Fifth Dynasty the physical
scale of pyramids was much reduced, and
poor quality limestone replaced granite
as the chief building material. In-filling
with loose rubble was also used for the
first time. This enabled pyramids to be
built with fewer resources over much shorter
periods. During the Middle Kingdom pyramid
construction techniques changed again.
Most pyramids built at this time were
little more than mountains of mud brick
encased in a veneer of polished limestone.
In several cases, later pyramids were
built on top of natural hills to further
reduce the volume of material needed in
their construction.
The
Bent Pyramid at Dahshur represents the
transition between these two building
techniques; its lower section is built
of sloping courses, while in its upper
section the stones are laid horizontally.
During the Fifth Dynasty the physical
scale of pyramids was much reduced, and
poor quality limestone replaced granite
as the chief building material. In-filling
with loose rubble was also used for the
first time. This enabled pyramids to be
built with fewer resources over much shorter
periods. During the Middle Kingdom pyramid
construction techniques changed again.
Most pyramids built at this time were
little more than mountains of mud brick
encased in a veneer of polished limestone.
In several cases, later pyramids were
built on top of natural hills to further
reduce the volume of material needed in
their construction.
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