Feb 04, 2014 09:49 AM EST
Archaeologists Discover 4,600-Year-Old Pyramid in Egypt

Archaeologists working near the settlement of Edfu, in southern Egypt, have discovered a pyramid that they believe is around 4,600-years-old.

The "step pyramid" was once 43 feet, and is one of seven "provincial" pyramids built by pharaoh Huni between 2635-2610 B.C. or Snefru, between 2610-2590 B.C., according to LiveScience.com.

Today, the pyramid "only" stands about 16 feet tall, due to being exposed to weathering.

Provincial pyramids are located around near major settlements throughout central and southern Egypt.

The pyramids were not built for burial and have no internal chambers, according to LiveScience.com.

"The similarities from one pyramid to the other are really amazing, and there is definitely a common plan," said Gregory Marouard, a research associate at the University of Chicago's Oriental Institute, according to LiveScience.com.

On the east side of the newly uncovered pyramid, his team found the remains of an installation where food offerings appear to have been made - a discovery that is important for understanding this kind of pyramid since it provides clues as to what they were used for.

At least six of the seven pyramids have similar dimensions, including the one just discovered. The pyramid in Edfu is about 60 by 60 feet.

Archaeologists still haven't figured out the purpose of the pyramids. They might have been built as monuments for a royal cult, but nothing has been confirmed yet.

"The construction itself reflects a certain care and a real expertise in the mastery of stone construction, especially for the adjustment of the most important blocks," said Marouard in his paper.

Though researchers knew the pyramid existed at the settlement for a while, it wasn't until 2010 that they started working on finding the pyramid.

The pyramid was covered by a thick layer of sand, remains from the pillaging of its blocks, and waste, according to LiveScience.com.

 A fence was built around the pyramids thanks to the American Research Center in Egypt and the National Endowment for the Humanities in order to prevent looting. 

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