Life of a Pyramid: A Cultural Biography of Dahshur (Oxford Studies in Egyptian Archaeology)

This cultural biography of a major ancient Egyptian monument maps the inception, life, and afterlife of the pyramid complex of King Senwosret III at Dahshur in Egypt, spanning five millennia from the beginnings of the ancient Egyptian state to modern times. The study transcends traditional chronological narratives, not only focussing on the primary stages of planning, building, and use of the funerary monument, but also including its later stages, its abandonment, dismantlement, and reuse. The pyramid continues to serve as a resource for social, cultural, and material capital, revealing centuries of interaction tied to identity, memory, and power dynamics. This study draws on a broad range of sources, from the archaeological record and ancient administrative texts, literary works, and graffiti left by early 'tourists' visiting the site to travellers' accounts from Medieval times and the Early Modern period, as well as contemporary observations on the heritage site.