The unfinished Layer Pyramid of the 3rd Dynasty

The Layer Pyramid, known locally as el haram el midawwar, is a ruined step pyramid dating to the 3rd Dynasty of Egypt. Located in the necropolis of Zawyet El Aryan, the structure is situated on a rock ridge just above the floodplain. While its ownership is uncertain and may be attributable to pharaoh Khaba, its architecture is very similar to that of the Buried Pyramid of king Sekhemkhet.

Originally planned to comprise five steps and reach a height of approximately 42 to 45 metres, only two steps remain today, reaching about 17 metres in height. The current state of the pyramid allows a view of its core, which is an 11 square metre mound made of rough stone blocks taken from the local bedrock. This core is surrounded by a 2.6 metre thick casing of the same masonry, which is then surrounded by 14 layers of mud bricks bonded with clay mortar.

Excavations in the early 20th century by researchers such as Alessandro Barsanti, George Reisner, and Clarence S. Fisher uncovered a vertical access shaft leading to a burial chamber. However, the corridors and chambers found were seemingly unfinished and completely devoid of artefacts. While some experts like Rainer Stadelmann believe the pyramid was finished, others like Miroslav Verner suggest it was left unfinished due to the pharaoh's premature death. The pyramid has been located within a restricted military area since 1970, barring further modern excavations.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons