El-Lahun

Welcome, seekers of knowledge, to the unique and enigmatic site of El-Lahun. We stand at the edge of the Fayum Oasis, a 'fertile area of the desert' that was transformed into an 'agricultural treasure trove' four thousand years…

The Pyramid of El-Lahun represents a 'technological breakthrough' in ancient construction. Unlike the Old Kingdom pyramids, Senusret II’s engineers used 'mud-brick' as the primary building material. …

One of the most 'unique astonishing engineering secrets' of El-Lahun is the 'strange trench' that surrounds the pyramid. Carved '10 feet deep into the limestone bedrock,' it was filled with 'tons of crushed stones and a thick…

Senusret II was deeply concerned about 'grave robbers looting the pharaoh's tomb.' To safeguard his body, he abandoned the 'traditional way in'—the north side—and hid the entrance on the south face, buried beneath the 'narrow…

Finally, we reach the 'real burial chamber.' It is a 'majestic room' made out of 'pink granite brought from Aswan'—the very same red granite we discussed at the Unfinished Obelisk. The walls have been 'polished' to a 'wonderful…

Just 800 yards to the east of the pyramid lies the 'remains of a walled settlement' over a million square feet in size: the town of Kahun. This is 'about living people,' not just the dead. …

While the Pharaoh's tomb was looted, the 'mastaba tombs' of the princesses yielded 'really beautiful jewelry' that is now world-famous. Sir Flinders Petrie and his wife Hilda discovered the 'Treasure of Lahun' in the tomb of…

As we conclude our tour of El-Lahun, take a final look at this 'mountain of a pyramid' overlooking the Fayum. We have seen how Senusret II used 'mud-brick' to conquer the marsh, 'limestone skeletons' to maintain order, and…