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Khaba Pyramid- the Layer Pyramid

 

Location

It is located at Zaiyet el-Aryan, to the South of Giza and North of Abusir and Abu Gorab

 

Who built it?

It was built by Khaba who was, according to Egyptologist Jacques Kinnaer, the successor of Sekemkhet and the 3rd King of the 3rd dynasty. He ruled from 2631 to 2619 BCE, a total of 4 years.

 

Why was it built

This pyramid was built as the ancient Egyptians believe in the resurrection. Khaba was buried in this pyramid according to the ancient Egyptian concept of life after death.

 

Explanation:

In the King-list Khaba is called Hudjefa. His pyramid is the so-called Layer Pyramid at Zawiyet el-Aryan. The pyramid is a step pyramid in the early stages of construction. The superstructure is typical of 3rd dynasty masonry, consisting of 14 accretions, leaning inward against a central core. Completed the pyramid probably would have risen 42-45 m, but today it is about 20m high. No trace of the casing was found indicating that the pyramid was never finished. The identification is from alabaster vessels found at nearby mastaba Z-500 just north of here. His name was found inscribed on these vessels. The area is very near a military compound, you even hear 'gunshot' practice. It is on the edge of a little town about 10 minutes walk out in the desert. The locals said that the name Zawiyet el-Aryan has not been used for several decades thus giving the driver some difficulty in locating the area. The site is about 4km south of Giza.