Pyramidion of Amenemhat III :

Pyramidion is the capstone of an  Egyptian pyramid or the upper section of an obelisk. Speakers of Ancient Egyptian language referred to pyramidia as benbenet and associated the pyramid as a whole with the sacred benben stone. Pyramidia were usually made of limestone, sandstone, basalt or granite and were sometimes covered with plates of copper, gold or electrum. From the Middle Kingdom onward, they were often "inscribed with royal titles and religious symbols". Very few pyramidia or capstones have survived into modern times. Most of those that remain are made of polished black granite, inscribed with the name of the pyramid’s owner.

Four Pyramidia (Pyramidion of the Pyramid of Khendjer at Saqqara; Pyramidion of Merneferre Ay, probably from Saqqara, Pyramidion of Southern South Saqqara pyramid and Pyramidion of so-called Black Pyramid of Amenemhat III at Dahshur) – the world’s largest collection – are housed in the main hall of the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Capstone (Pyramidion) of the Black Pyramid at Dashur (1850 BC), also known as Pyramid of King Amenemhat III (1860-1814 BC), 12th Dynasty during Middle Kingdom, ancient Egypt. It was discovered in 1900 AD, during archaeological excavations, by then-director of Department of Antiquities Gaston Maspero, on the east side of pyramid of Amenemhat, a grey block was found sticking out of the sand, which, upon closer inspection, was decorated with beautiful inscriptions. After excavation, the pyramidion of Amenemhat III was transported to the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

Capstone carved out of single piece of basalt (black granite), mostly intact apart from a broken corner. With a height of 1.40m and base length 1.85m, it weighs around 4.5 tonnes. Bottom edges are undercut to keep block in position atop the pyramid. Four upper faces were polished and inscribed. Side which pointed to east is adorned with a winged sun disk flanked by two uraei. Below, two wedjat represent eyes of king himself. Further down, three  nefer signs stand for beauty or perfection. Finally, a sun disk represents god Ra, from which throne name of Amenemhat "Ni-maat-re" extends to right and his personal name "Imen-em-hat" to left. As a whole, composition reads: "Amenemhat beholds perfection of Ra".

Egyptian Museum, Cairo (JE 35133)

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