Khufu’s Inheritance: Jean-Pierre Houdin Discusses the Noble Circuit and Deciphering the Pyramid
The legacy Pharaoh Snefru left to his heir, Khufu, included more than the crown and wealth of the Old Kingdom. Building on an architectural and engineering revolution that stretched at least as far back as Pharaoh Djoser’s Master Builder, Imhotep, Khufu’s own architect Hemiunu was determined to build a monument that would last the ages. To say the least, he was successful.
But erecting the final resting place of a god-king involved more than structural and aesthetic considerations. Hemiunu was creating sacred ground, and within Khufu’s holy mountain there were specific paths to be trodden and a celestial order of operations to be observed.
Beginning with the physical evidence from the pyramid, Jean-Pierre Houdin pieces these ancient traditions together in a way that suggests where to look and what to look for in unlocking the secrets of the Great Pyramid. This is the third in a series of articles and interviews conducted by Marc Chartier with Jean-Pierre and other key members of Team Khufu, provided in English exclusively to Em Hotep.
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Tags: Bent Pyramid, Corbelling, Dassault Systemes, Djoser, Giza Plateau, Grand Gallery, Jean-Pierre Houdin, Khufu Reborn, Khufu's Pyramid, King's Chamber, Marc Chartier, Mehdi Tayoubi, Noble Circuit, Project Khufu, Red Pyramid, Snefru
Djoser’s Step Pyramid is the first monumental work in dressed stone and the first Egyptian pyramid, and his pyramid complex brought together funerary elements, such as tombs and enclosures, that were originally separate edifices, setting the pattern for centuries to come. Last week the Em Hotep group shared their explorations of this architectural icon, which we have gathered here for your enjoyment and education.
The complex of Djoser at Saqqara is more than just the first pyramid and template for all pyramid complexes that would follow.
Pharaoh Userkaf is one of the many Egyptian kings who have left very few clues regarding his biography and reign. Well, he did leave a pyramid and a few temples from which we have been able to extract a couple of details.
For starters, it’s a large four-sided structure made of stone, wide at the bottom and pointy at the top, making a perfect triangle.




















