Editing Huni (section)

===Meidum pyramid===
[[File:02 meidum pyramid.jpg|thumb|right|220px|The Meidum pyramid, initially believed to have been started by Huni, is now thought to be exclusively the work of Sneferu.]]
In the early 20th&nbsp;century, the [[Meidum|Meidum pyramid]] was often credited to Huni. One long-held theory posited that Huni had started a stepped pyramid, similar to that of king [[Djoser]], [[Sekhemkhet]] and [[Khaba]], but architecturally more advanced and with more and smaller steps. When king Sneferu ascended the throne, he would have simply covered the pyramid with polished limestone slabs, making it a "true pyramid". The odd appearance of the pyramid was explained in early publications by a possible building catastrophe, during which the pyramid's covering collapsed and many workmen would have been crushed. The theory seemed to be fostered by the unknown duration of Sneferu's reign. At the time, Egyptologists and historians couldn't believe Sneferu had ruled long enough to have three pyramids built for him.<ref name=MiVe>Miroslav Verner: ''Die Pyramiden.'' Rowohlt Verlag, Wiesbaden 1999, {{ISBN|3499608901}}, p. 185-195.</ref><ref name=RaSt>Rainer Stadelmann: ''Snofru und die Pyramiden von Meidum und Dahschur.'' in: ''Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts Kairo (MDAIK)'', vol 36. Zabern, Mainz 1980, p. 437–449.</ref>

Closer examinations of the pyramid surroundings however revealed several tomb inscriptions and pilgrim graffiti praising the "beauty of the white pyramid of king Sneferu". They further call for prayers to Sneferu and "his great wife Meresankh I". Additionally, the surrounding mastaba tombs date to the reign of King Sneferu. Huni's name has yet to be found anywhere near the pyramid. These indices led Egyptologists to the conclusion that the pyramid of Meidum was never Huni's, but rather an achievement of Sneferu, planned and constructed as a [[cenotaph]]. Ramesside graffiti reveals that the white limestone covering still existed during the 19th&nbsp;dynasty and started to collapse slowly after that period. The rest of the limestone covering and the first inner layers were robbed during the [[New Kingdom of Egypt|New Kingdom]] period and the [[Roman Egypt|Roman]] period. This practice continued in Christian and Islamic times, in particular during the construction works of the Arabs in the 12th&nbsp;century AD. Arab writers describe the Meidum pyramid as a "mountain with five steps". Finally, several regional earthquakes damaged the monument.<ref name=MiVe/><ref name=RaSt/>

A third argument against the theory that Sneferu completed Huni's project is newer evaluations of Snefru's time on the throne. According to the Turin Canon, Sneferu ruled for 24 years. However, during the Old Kingdom the years of rule were counted biennially, when [[Cattle count (Egypt)|cattle counts]] and tax collections were performed, which would mean that Sneferu may have ruled for 48 years. The compiler of the Turin Canon may not have been aware of this long-gone circumstance when redacting his document and would consequently have attributed 24 years to Sneferu. Today it is estimated that 48 years of rule would have allowed Sneferu to build three pyramids during his lifetime.<ref>Thomas Schneider: ''Lexikon der Pharaonen''. Albatros, Düsseldorf 2002, {{ISBN|3-491-96053-3}}, p.&nbsp;278.</ref><ref>Rainer Stadelmann: ''Die großen Pyramiden von Giza.'' Akad. Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt, Graz 1990, {{ISBN|320101480X}}, p.&nbsp;260.</ref> Additionally, Egyptologists such as Rainer Stadelmann point out that it was uncommon for rulers during the Old Kingdom to usurp or finish the tomb of a predecessor; all that a succeeding king did was to bury and seal the tomb of his predecessor.<ref name=MiVe/><ref name=RaSt/>