Athar al-Lahun Pyramid area

REGISTERED: Yes

 

OTHER NAMES: el-Lahun, Kahun; Hetep Senusret (ancient); Ptolemais Hormos (Classical)

    The pyramid of Senusret II was erected here in the 12th dynasty and the workers, priests and administrative personnel settled in the town that grew up close to the pyramid. Petrie labelled the town Kahun when it was excavated in the late 1880's, and it has remained one of the most important sources of Middle Kingdom town planning. Cemeteries dating form the predynastic to Graeco-Roman period are scattered throughout the area. Recent excavations of the area have been undertaken by the Royal Ontario Museum.

 

The mudbrick outlines of the buildings of Kahun are still well preserved, although the pyramid itself is suffering from erosion and partial collapse. During the EAIS site visit, it was noted that the burial field between the pyramid and the town showed signs of recent looting with human remains and mummy wrappings scattered across the area.

 

     Amlaak Maps

Official maps used by the SCA based on ESA maps, showing the official borders of archaeological sites.

Other Backgrounds

    ESA/AGR 1:2500 Maps  

Ministry of Agriculture (AGR) updated ESA cadastral maps to demonstrate urban expansion until 1985. These maps are commonly used by local land authorities and land use planners..

    ESA 1:2500 Maps  

Cadastral maps produced by ESA showing the location and boundaries of urban built up areas and the land divisions with their names and numbers. Two versions are produced from this series in the early 1900s and 1940s.

    ESA 1:50,000 Topographical Maps 

ESA maps with urban and topographical features, produced in 1993. These maps are useful in showing the relationships between archaeological sites and built-up land.