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A cognitive approach to the topography of the 12th dynasty pyramids

The topography of the royal pyramids of the 12th dynasty is investigated in its historical and chronological context, in order to highlight connections between the architectural choices, the religious ideas and the traditions inspiring the reign of the corresponding pharaohs. A close, explicit connection with the double building projects carried out more than six centuries before by Snefru at Dahshur and at Meidum-Seila comes out. This connection involved geometry, perspective and astronomical alignments in the progressive planning of the pyramidal complexes. In such a context, the architectural choices of the last great king of the dynasty, Amenemhet III - who built two pyramids, one at Dahshur and the other at Hawara - appear to be due mostly to symbolic, as opposed to practical, reasons.