Wilson and I were blasted by the desert winds as we crested the red rock-strewn mesa. This was the place called Abu Ruwash and the site of the pyramidal representation of the star Rigel. It was December 4th, 1996, and we were approaching the ruins of an ancient structure, lonely and desolate on a wind-swept hill.

The pyramid at Abu Ruwash is believed to be a 4th Dynasty construction built by the Pharaoh Ra`djedef. Although Ra`djedef was the son and successor of the famed Pharaoh Khufu, his reign lasted but 8 short years (2528 BC - 2520 BC). It was Khafre, Khufu's other son who became the prominent Pharaoh that is recognized as the builder of the second largest pyramid at Giza.

Ra`djedef was given credit for the partial construction of Abu Ruwash based on two pieces of relatively weak evidence. First, a large but damaged granite bust of the pharaoh was found just north of the pyramid. Second, the megalithic limestone blocks used within the pyramid are generally associated with those used during the 4th Dynasty. Since Ra`djedef was a 4th Dynasty pharaoh, and a broken sculpture in his image was found near the pyramid site, the case was closed. The historical lack of excavation at Abu Ruwash however, deems any absolute dynastic designation somewhat premature.

According to orthodox Egyptology, the pyramid at Abu Ruwash was never completed. This explains why Ra`djedef's pyramid lies in ruin, while his brother's pyramid at Giza stands hardly scathed in comparison. This does not explain, however, why the powerful Pharaoh Khafre, at the height of Egyptian civilization, would allow his brother's pyramid to remain unfinished. The completion of this relatively small pyramid would have been easy in comparison to the grandiose structure built on the Giza plateau.

It is also interesting to note that in the early 1900's, several 1st Dynasty artifacts were uncovered at Abu Ruwash. Several of these objects were inscribed with the names Aha and Den; both of whom were 1st Dynasty Pharaohs. As a result of this and other finds, orthodox Egyptologists believe that the Abu Ruwash site had been an administration center from pre-dynastic times forward. (Atlas of Ancient Egypt, by John Baines & Jaromir Malek, 1993)

Once again, we are faced with the amazing celestial-terrestrial corollary coincidence. Could the construction of an administration center atop an isolated hill just coincidentally fall on the topographical location for the star Rigel? It is highly unlikely. The coincidence would be statistically inconceivable. Therefore, it is our belief that form must follow function. Whoever first constructed on the Abu Ruwash site knew of its celestial connection.

Could the ancient pyramid have already been at Abu Ruwash during the 1st Dynasty? We established that the original builders at this location likely knew of its celestial connection. Additionally, a reoccurring theme at all the visible Orion sites are structures or remains built of the unique megalithic limestone blocks. It would make sense that the original builders, knowing well of the Orion connection, built at Abu Ruwash with these distinctive blocks. This might explain why the pre-dynastic Egyptians selected this particular location for their administration center. There was already a structure in place!

Speculation? Yes, but remember, blocks of an identical industry at Zawyat Al Aryan apparently predate the 3rd Dynasty. This fact, coupled with the weak evidence used to credit Ra`djedef with the pyramid's construction, make the possibility tantalizingly real - perhaps even statistically more likely than a placement theory relying on pure coincidence alone.

The far more threatening implications of such a possibility fall upon the Orion Pyramids at Giza. If there is ample evidence to indicate that the Orion Pyramids at Zawyat Al Aryan and Abu Ruwash presage the 3rd Dynasty, then what about the Giza Pyramids? Could they as well?

Although the pyramids at Giza are the core Orion Pyramids (Orion's belt stars), orthodox Egyptology is adamant about their 4th Dynasty construction. However, would those who designed the Orion complex have started with the outlying pyramids, and then have moved in to complete the center of the constellation at a later date? During the 4th Dynasty?

This sequence seems counter-intuitive. One would imagine that the ancient architects would have started with the center of the constellation at Giza, and subsequently moved outwards. Following this logical progression, one is immediately forced to question the 4th Dynasty assignment of the Giza Pyramids.

Interestingly enough, the only carbon-dating as yet done to the Giza pyramids is in support of a pre-4th Dynasty construction date. This issue is briefly detailed later. Although this is not the time to delve into such matters of ambiguity, this question should be addressed by orthodox Egyptologists.

What is to be addressed now, is the Abu Ruwash pyramid's connection to the star Rigel. Again, like the pyramids at Zawyat Al Aryan and Giza, the structure at Abu Ruwash sits on the exact topographical location for a star in the Orion constellation. Coincidence? Not likely.

The Orion Pyramid Theory is now sizzling with legitimacy.

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