Egypt has opened two of its oldest pyramids. pyramids are in Dahshur, about 40 kilometers south of Egyptian capital city Cairo. They are now open to public for first time since 1965. Hundreds of people gathered outside Bent Pyramid at special opening ceremony on Saturday. The Bent Pyramid was built 4,600 years ago. It was built for ancient Egyptian pharaoh Sneferu. It is 101 meters high. Builders used new techniques to build it and archaeologists say it was important step in development of pyramid building. Tourists can also enter 18-metre high "side pyramid" next to Bent Pyramid. This was built for King Sneferu's wife Hetepheres.
The two pyramids are part of Memphis Necropolis, UNESCO World Heritage Site. Egypt hopes the opening of pyramids will boost country's tourism industry. Egypt was top tourist destination but tourist numbers fell after 2011 uprising. Ancient sites in Egypt are on bucket lists of many people around the world. At the Bent Pyramid, tourists will be able to go through 79-meter narrow tunnel to reach two chambers deep inside. They will also be able to see ancient treasures found inside pyramid. Egyptian archaeologists uncovered collection of stone, clay and wooden sarcophagi - the coffins people were buried in. Some of sarcophagi contained mummies
