The Middle Kingdom Pyramids
During the First Intermediate Period when unified rule gave way to rival principalities, pyramid building had practically ceased. However, the form of the pyramid complex was revived once more during the Middle Kingdom by the 12th Dynasty pharaoh Amenemhet I (1991-1962 BC). Amenemhet I also established a new tradition with pyramid building. Previously, the name of the pyramid complex In the Old Kingdom had included all the associated structures and temples (such as the mortuary temple, the valley temple etc) but from Amenemhet's time onwards, each of the major components of the complex were given their own individual name.
Pyramids tended to be built with a stone core and a framework of rough blocks. This framework would then be filled with a combination or mixture of mudbrick, debris and sand. Finally, the outer surface would be faced with fine tufa limestone, creating a finished effect not unlike the great stone pyramids of the Old Kingdom. However the use of mudbrick construction is always a problem with regard to the preservation of a structure, and once the outer casing of limestone had been removed, the pyramid was in effect "unprotected" and would deteriorate badly. This is why most of the Middle Kingdom pyramids today resemble little more than heaps of rubble.
Middle Kingdom pyramid complexes
 | Pyramid of Amenemhet I at Lisht - 12th Dynasty. The first ruler of the 12th Dynasty, Amenemhet's pyramid today stands mostly in ruins that only rise about 20m above ground level. The pyramid had a limestone core with a loose fill of sand, debris and mudbrick and an outer casing of fine tufa limestone. Relief blocks from Old Kingdom monuments were used to line the passageways of the pyramid, and like many of these Middle Kingdom pyramids, the underground burial chamber is flooded and remains unexplored. |
 | Pyramid of Senusret I at Lisht - 12th Dynasty. Located on a prominent hill near the Fayoum oasis, Senusret's pyramid complex is on the scale larger then many Old Kingdom pyramids. Local limestone was used in the core, and a block framework was then filled with fragments of limestone, sand and waste material. Backing stones rest on the steps, and a casing of fine white limestone was used to finish the pyramid. The burial chamber is flooded and has never been excavated. |
 | Pyramid of Amenemhet II at Dahshur - 12th Dynasty. Located east of the Red Pyramid at Dahshur, Amenemhet's "white pyramid" was built much like that of Senusret I's pyramid, with a core that had corners radiating out. A framework was made with horizontal lines of blocks to form a grid, or framework between the corners. Here, though it was filled with sand and today the remains bear more resemblance to a cluster of small hills than a major pyramid complex. |
 | Pyramid of Senusret II at Lahun - 12th Dynasty. Senusret II's pyrmiad known as "Senusret shines", is located near Fayoum, rather than at Dahshur where his father's pyramid is. It was first investigated by the Lepsius expedition in the 1840s, but was only later examined in detail by Petrie. Like so many Middle Kingdom pyramids, only the deteriorated inner core now remains. Dozens of papyri were discovered at the nearby pyramid town which gave fascinating insights into the social and economic life of the time. |
 | Pyramid of Amenemhet III [1] at Dahshur - 12th Dynasty. The "black pyramid" of Amenemhat III is now nothing more than a pile of rubble. Originally called "Amenemhat is mighty", it was constructed with a core of mudbricks and encased in limestone, but the usual internal stone structures were not used, and this may be the reason for its eventual collapse. In 1990, a fine grey granite pyramidion (cap stone) was discovered in the rubble, which is now on display at the Egyptian museum, Cairo. |
 | Pyramid of Amenemhet III [2] at Hawara - 12th Dynasty. Amenemhet III was the last powerful ruler of the 12th Dynasty, and the pyramid he built at Hawara is believed to have been his final resting place. At Hawara there was also the intact (pyramid) tomb of his daughter, Neferu-Ptah. This pyramid and the large mortuary temple here attracted the attention of several classical writers including Herodotus in the mid 5th century. Unfortunately the classical descriptions of this ancient marvel no longer match the modern day remains. |
 | Pyramid of Senusret III at Dahshur - 12th Dynasty. Senusret's pyramid far surpasses the pyramids of his predecessors in the 12th Dynasty in size and represents another developmental milestone in pyramid design. Whilst little was discovered in the burial chamber - it had been robbed in antiquity, tombs located to the north revealed significant finds of jewellery, and there are at least three queen's pyramids located to the south. Six wooded funerary boats were also discovered on the site. |
Middle Kingdom pyramid builders
 | Amenemhet I's pyramid, built at el-Lisht was similar to the Old Kingdom pyramids but smaller. The inner core was built with small limestone blocks (many taken from ruined Old Kingdom monuments at Giza and Abusir) and the exterior was faced with white tura limestone, long since stolen. The mortuary temple has also been largely destroyed. Access to the pyramid is unfortunately denied by ground water seepage. |
 | Senusret I. Amenemhet I's son Senusret I also built his pyramid at el-Lisht, about a mile south of his fathers. His burial chamber is also inaccessible because of ground water. Nine small pyramids belonging to royal ladies were also built within the complex. |
 | Amenemhet II. Senusret I was succeeded by his son Amenemhet II who built his pyramid at Dahshur, to the east of the earlier 4th Dynasty pyramids of Snefru. All that now remains of his pyramid is a great mass of eroded mudbrick which was originally the core of a pyramid some 263 ft/80m square. |
 | Senusret II built his pyramid close to the Fayoum Oasis at Lahun (see above). Flinders Petrie excavated four shaft tombs on the south side of the pyramid that belonged to Senusret II's family and in one of these, discovered the "Lahun Treasure" that included a fine, gold inlaid uraeus that may have come from the king's mummy. |
 | Senusret III the great military campaigner built his pyramid in the Middle Kingdom cemetery at Dahshur. At 350 ft/107m square it is the largest of the Middle Kingdom Pyramids, but as is the case with most of these pyramids, the outer casing has been removed, and the inner core has deteriorated badly. Excavated in 1894-95 by Jacques de Morgan, finds included some fine jewellery from the tombs of Senusret's queen and his sister. |
 | Amenemhet III was the last great ruler of the Middle Kingdom, and little is known about his successors, Amenemhet IV and Queen Sobeknefru. There is a possibility that two pyramids located at Mazghuna, 3 miles south of Dahshur may belong to them, although this cannot currently be confirmed for definite. |
