English
The Pyramid of Menkaure, also known as the Pyramid of Mykerinos, is located on the Giza Plateau in Egypt. It was constructed during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, around 2510–2490 BCE. The pyramid is the smallest of the three main pyramids at Giza, standing at approximately 65 meters (213 feet) tall.
The pyramid was built for Pharaoh Menkaure, also known as Mykerinos. It is constructed of limestone blocks and was originally encased in smooth Tura limestone casing stones, much like the larger pyramids of Khufu and Khafre. However, most of the casing stones have been stripped away over the centuries, leaving the pyramid in its current stepped appearance.
The base of the Pyramid of Menkaure measures approximately 108 meters (354 feet) on each side. It originally had a mortuary temple on the eastern side, connected to a causeway leading to a valley temple near the Nile River. These structures were used for the pharaoh's funerary rituals and to honor his memory.
Like other pyramids in Egypt, the Pyramid of Menkaure originally housed the pharaoh's sarcophagus and funerary goods in its burial chamber. The burial chamber is located deep within the pyramid, accessed through a descending passage. Although the pyramid was plundered in antiquity, fragments of Menkaure's mummy and other artifacts have been discovered within the complex.
Despite its smaller size compared to the Great Pyramid of Khufu and the Pyramid of Khafre, the Pyramid of Menkaure remains an impressive architectural feat and an enduring symbol of ancient Egyptian civilization. Its construction reflects the enduring legacy of the pharaohs and their belief in the afterlife.
