pyramidarium

A pyramidarium, also known as a pyramidion, is the uppermost piece or capstone of an ancient Egyptian pyramid. It typically took the form of a small pyramid and was often made of polished stone, sometimes covered in electrum or gold leaf to reflect the sun's rays. The pyramidarium was considered a significant element of the pyramid's structure, symbolizing the primeval mound or benben, from which creation was believed to have emerged. It was also associated with the sun god Ra and the pharaoh's ascent to the heavens after death.

The shape and symbolism of the pyramidarium varied slightly throughout different periods of Egyptian history. Early pyramidia were often adorned with religious inscriptions and depictions. Later examples, particularly from the New Kingdom, could be more elaborate. While most pyramidia have been lost or damaged over millennia, a few have survived and are housed in museums, offering valuable insights into ancient Egyptian religious beliefs and architectural practices. The precise methods of lifting and placing these heavy capstones remain a subject of ongoing scholarly discussion.