Overview:

is a small pyramid located at the eastern side of the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. It is believed to have been built in honor of Henutsen, wife of Khufu and the mother of Khafre. It is the oldest known monumental structure made entirely of limestone and is one of the earliest examples of Egyptian pyramid construction. According to the ancient Egyptian historians Djeser-Djeseru and Manetho, it is thought to have been built by Khufu’s daughter, in 2580-2560 haveBC. It is also believed that the pyramid was built to house the burial chamber of her husband and their son Khafre. The pyramid is relatively small compared to the other pyramids on the site, standing at roughly 46 feet tall, with an average base of 49 feet. The burial chamber is located just below the apex of the structure and is decorated with limestone and granite. The pyramid is exposed to the elements as it was never encased in the traditional limestone or granite casing. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

The pyramid of Khufu's daughter, Henutsen, is one of the smallest at Giza in Egypt. It is also one of the oldest pyramids on the Giza plateau, dating to 2590 BC. The pyramid is stepped in structure and is much smaller than the Great Pyramid of Khufu, its father. On the east side of the pyramid is the mortuary temple of Henutsen which is also unusual in that it is on an east-west axis, rather than a north-south orientation. This is because Limestone was not in abundant supply near the Giza Plateau and so limestone was brought in from Tura via the Nile for the temple construction. The pyramid is also one of the first to be highly decorated with scene from the Book of the Dead as well as the false-door in the mortuary temple of Henutsen. The decoration of the pyramid is still visible to this day. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The exact origins of the Pyramid of Khufu’s daughter Henutsen at Giza in Egypt are unknown. Some estimates place it to the 4th century BC, but it could have been built earlier. The pyramid was likely a burial chamber and was first discovered by Johann Richard Lepsius in the 19th century. Henutsen, also known as Henet or Henttawy, was the daughter of the famous Pharaoh Khufu and his Chief Queen Hetepheres II. As such, she was a member of the 4th Dynasty royal family and a direct descendant of the renowned ruler, Djedefre. Henutsen's pyramid is one of three small and near-identical pyramids at Giza, located relatively near the famous Great Pyramid. The burial chamber is believed to have been constructed for her shortly after her death, which is believed to have occurred between the years of 2550 and 2500 BC. It is thought that she may have served as a substitute for her mother as Khufu's Great Queen. The pyramid is thought to have originally consisted of an underground chamber and an upper chamber roofed with stone slabs, with a causeway connecting them and leading to the funerary temple. The pyramid's original entrance was walled up a long time ago, but a hole has been cut into it to allow access. Inside the main chamber, there is an offering table surrounded by four pillars, a statue of Khufu, and a stela inscribed with a hymn to Henutsen. While there is some speculation about Henutsen's exact role in the royal family, she is remembered through her pyramid and its importance to the heritage of Giza. It is a reminder of the power of the 4th Dynasty and the influence the family had on the region for centuries. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Henutsen, daughter of Pharaoh Khufu, was the first known female to have a pyramid at Giza, the world’s oldest pyramid complex. 2. Henutsen's pyramid was approximately one-third the size of Khufu's. 3. Researchers believe the pyramid was likely constructed around 2500 BCE. 4. Her pyramid was built on a south-west orientation, rather than north-east, as was typically used. 5. Due to the orientation, the entrance of the pyramid was believed to be oriented to the rising sun of the winter solstice. 6. Henutsen's pyramid, also known as “The Pyramid of the Khamun Gold”, was looted in the early 1900s and all artifacts were stolen. 7. Remains of 14 vessels and animal bones were among the recovery materials, most likely from a funeral ceremony. 8. Based on archaeological evidence, researchers believe that Henutsen might have been buried elsewhere, as no coffin or mummy were found in the pyramid. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era