Sneferu Bent pyramid, close to the cultivation, Dahshur, Egypt

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Object Details

Topic: Cultural landscapes; Monuments; Architecture -- Egypt; Animals -- Africa; Birds

See more items in: Eliot Elisofon Field collection; Eliot Elisofon Field collection / Egypt

Archival Repository: Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art

Collection Citation: Eliot Elisofon Field Collection, EEPA 1973-001, Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution

Collection Rights: Permission to reproduce images from the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives must be obtained in advance. The collection is subject to all copyright laws.

Scope and Contents: Dahshūr is an ancient site known for its five pyramids, located on the West bank of the Nile. Two pyramids were built in the 4th dynasty by King Snefru (2575-2551 BCE). The earliest of those two is commonly known as the Bent Pyramid, because of a change in angle during construction, and is the only pyramid that has two entrances. The remaining three pyramids were built during the 12th dynasty (1938-ca. 1756 BCE). [The J.P.Getty Fund: Thesaurus of Geographic Names]. During his trip to Egypt, Elisofon visited the archeologic site of the ancient city of Memphis, partially covered by the modern village of Mit Rahina. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for American Institute of Architects, directing the Egyptian portion of the documentary on Ancient Egypt, March 1965 and September 1965.

Collection Restrictions: Use of original records requires an appointment. Contact Archives staff for more details.