Bent Pyramid Colouring

The Bent Pyramid rises at Dahshur, south of Cairo, Egypt. It was built for King Sneferu, the first ruler of the Fourth Dynasty, during an important period of pyramid experimentation in the 26th century BCE. Its unusual outline gives the monument its modern name. The lower part began at a very steep angle of about 55 degrees, but builders changed the upper part to roughly 43 degrees. The result is a clear bend, or kink, halfway up each side. Egypt's Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities explains that the change helped address instability caused by the weight and steep design. Instead of hiding the solution, the completed pyramid preserves a visible chapter in the history of engineering. The Bent Pyramid links the earlier stepped form of Djoser's monument with the later smooth-sided true pyramids. It also keeps much of its original fine outer casing, giving visitors an unusually good idea of how bright and smooth Egyptian pyramids once appeared. The monument has two entrances, one on the north and another high on the west side. Their passages lead to chambers with corbelled roofs built from overlapping stone courses. Sneferu's builders later constructed the nearby Red Pyramid with one consistent, gentler slope. Together, the monuments show that learning sometimes happens through testing, observing problems and improving a design. Look closely at the strong change of angle in this picture before colouring. Use creamy white, pale limestone, sand or light honey for the pyramid. Make the smooth casing mostly one bright shade, then trace every horizontal course with an even pencil stroke. A slightly darker tan just below the bend will help both slopes stand apart. Colour the palms with green fronds and warm brown trunks, and give the tiny camel caramel, chestnut or soft grey fur. The sun can be yellow or gold, the cloud very pale blue and the desert a mixture of peach, beige and ochre. Try long diagonal strokes along the steep lower sides, then change the direction of your strokes at the kink to follow the gentler upper sides. Keep the wide sky light so the fascinating double-slope silhouette stays the star of the page.

◫ A4 size✎ Bold outlines♡ Ages 3–8

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Grown-up note: Please supervise printing and choose age-appropriate art materials.