The Pyramid at Meidum

The mysteries of Egypt are many and the Pyramid at Meidum is no exception. Five miles south of Saqqara stands the tower-like pyramid of Meidum, which scarcely resembles a typical pyramid at all. The remains of the tower-like core rise from what appears to be little more than a pile of sand. The pile is actually composed of pulverized pieces of the original structure of the pyramid.
This pyramid represents the first known attempt at the construction of a "true" pyramid. Before the Pyramid at Meidum was built, the only preceding pyramids were all "step" or "layer" pyramids.

This pyramid was probably built during the reign of the 4th Dynasty King named Sneferu. It is believed by some that the pyramid may have been started by Sneferu’s predecessor, Huni. Since Sneferu goes on to build TWO more pyramids at another site called Dahshur, the mystery only deepens. Could Sneferu have been the Pharaoh of three pyramids??

Somewhere in its history this pyramid suffered a terrible collapse. The theories of its demise vary. Some say that the pyramid was never finished and collapsed during its construction. This theory is primarily perpetuated because of unfinished stelae at the Temple near the Pyramid. It is assumed that because these stelae were uninscribed that the construction was never completed to begin with. Also the burial chamber within the pyramid appears to be only roughly hewn.

A graffito from a much later era, the 18th dynasty, identifies the temple of the pyramid as being the Temple of King Sneferu. This implies that the temple was still in good condition as late as the 18th dynasty.