Pyramidion facts for kids

The restored pyramidion of the Red Pyramid at Dashur is now on display beside the Pyramid

A pyramidion (plural pyramidia) is the very top part of an Egyptian pyramid. Ancient Egyptians called them benbenet.

During Egypt's Old Kingdom (a very old period in Egyptian history), pyramidia were made from strong stones. These stones included diorite, granite, or limestone. They were often covered in shiny gold or electrum (a mix of gold and silver). This made them reflect the sun's rays brightly. Later, pyramidia were made from granite. These often had the names of kings and queens, or special religious symbols carved into them.

Not many pyramidia still exist today. Most of the ones we have are made of polished black granite. They usually have the name of the pyramid's owner carved into them. You can see four pyramidia in the main hall of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. These include the pyramidia from the Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III and the Pyramid of Khendjer at Saqqara.

A damaged white Tura limestone pyramidion is believed to have belonged to the Red Pyramid of Sneferu at Dahshur. It has been put back together and is now on display next to the pyramid. However, its sides are steeper than the pyramid's sides, so it doesn't quite match.

Small Pyramids on Private Tombs

Private tomb pyramidion made of limestone, at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

During the New Kingdom (another important period in ancient Egypt), some private underground tombs had small brick pyramids built on top. These small pyramids also had pyramidia at their very top. The four sides of these pyramidia often showed pictures and writings about the Sun god Ra.

These pictures usually showed the journey of the sun. The sun was shown rising on one side and setting on the opposite side. It was also shown traveling through the underworld (the land of the dead) at night. The god Osiris ruled this underworld.

Scribe Moses' Pyramidion

The pyramidion of a scribe (a person who wrote things) named Moses was made around 1250 BC. It was made from limestone and is about 53 centimeters (21 inches) tall. On two sides, it shows Moses making an offering, and his name is carved there. The other two sides show a baboon, which was a symbol for the god Thoth.

Ptahemwia's Pyramidion

The pyramidion of Ptahemwia was made around 1200 BC from limestone. It is 28 centimeters (11 inches) wide and 42 centimeters (16.5 inches) tall. It also shows scenes related to the sun. The Sun god, Ra, and the god of the Underworld, Osiris, are shown on one side. On another side, Ptahemwia is shown standing in a pose of offering, facing three columns of hieroglyphs (ancient Egyptian writing).

Related Structures

• The Washington Monument has a solid aluminum pyramidion at its very top. This pyramidion also works as a lightning rod, protecting the monument from lightning strikes.

Images for kids

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  Pyramidion from the tomb of the priest Rer in Abydos, Egypt. Hermitage Museum

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  Close-up of the Pyramidion of the Pyramid of Amenemhat III at Dahshur. Egyptian Museum, Cairo

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  Pyramidion of Nesnubhotep, top of a limestone chapel monument. A scarab and adoring baboons in relief. 26th Dynasty. From Abydos, Egypt. The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London

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  Pyramidion of Nebamun. Possibly top of a stela. Limestone. 19th Dynasty. From Egypt. Bought in the Thebaid (Thebais) but probably it came from Deir el-Medina. The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London (UC14574)

See also

In Spanish: Piramidión para niños