LABYRINTH

The Egyptian archaeological site of the Pyramid of Hawara and the associated  labyrinth is of great archeological significance. Located near the mouth of the Fayoum oasis, the pyramid is believed to be the last resting place of the twelfth dynasty pharaoh, Amenemhat III who ruled Egypt between c. 1860 BC – 1814 BC. Adjacent to his pyramid Amenemhat III is believed to have constructed a large funerary cult complex which has become known as ‘the Labyrinth’. The Labyrinth has been described by numerous classical authors including the Greek writer Herodotus  who described it as surpassing even the wonder of all of the pyramids of Egypt combined.  At  present, the site has been severely underdeveloped and unexplored with no large-scale archaeological excavation work taking place on the site  for over a century. The pyramid is showing signs of severe deterioration due to sustained flooding which has affected the burial chamber under the pyramid and the underground passages of the labyrinth. The flood water level has been rising over the past century and now reaches a level of approximately 5 meters below the topographic surface, and 7 meters above the lower corridor level. To counteract the detrimental effect of the rising water level and to try to sustainably conserve the pyramid and the Labyrinth, there is an urgent need to understand and analyze the current environmental conditions within and around the complex and to accurately locate, document and assess the pyramid's extant historical layers and structures.