Headless Pyramid
Egyptian pyramid complex of unclear king / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Headless Pyramid, otherwise identified as Lepsius XXIX, is the remain of a pyramid complex built in Saqqara. The identity of the pyramid owner is unclear, though it is suspected to belong to either pharaoh Menkauhor of the Fifth Dynasty[lower-alpha 1] or pharaoh Merikare of the Tenth Dynasty,[lower-alpha 2] both of whom are known to have built a pyramid. If associated with Menkauhor, the pyramid's name is Nṯr-ỉswt Mn-kꜣw-ḥr meaning 'Divine are the places of Menkauhor'; if associated with Merikare, the pyramid's name is Wꜣḏ-swt Mry-kꜣ-rꜥ meaning 'Fresh are the places of Merikare'. Other candidates for the pyramid owner that have been proposed are Amenemhat I of the Twelfth Dynasty[lower-alpha 3] and an ephemeral pharaoh Ity of the Eighth Dynasty.[lower-alpha 4]
Headless Pyramid | |
---|---|
Menkauhor (probably)Merikare (possibly) | |
Coordinates | 29°52′31″N 31°13′25″E |
Ancient name | |
Constructed | Fifth Dynasty (probably)Tenth Dynasty (possibly) |
Type | True (now ruined) |
Material | Limestone |
Base | ~ 52 m (171 ft; 99 cu)[4][3] ~ 60 m (200 ft; 110 cu)[5] ~ 65 m (213 ft; 124 cu) by 68 m (223 ft; 130 cu)[6] |
The pyramid complex is in very poor condition. Only the main pyramid, its substructure, and the mortuary temple can be definitively identified. Trace elements of a cult pyramid and a causeway exist, however, there is no sign of an extant valley temple. The base of the pyramid superstructure has been measured by various Egyptologists as being 52 m (171 ft; 99 cu), 60 m (200 ft; 110 cu), or 65 m (213 ft; 124 cu) by 68 m (223 ft; 130 cu) long. Its substructure was thoroughly investigated between 2005 and 2008 by a team of archaeologists led by Zahi Hawass. Their findings included lowered portcullis gates indicating a burial had taken place, a sarcophagus lid built of schist, and holes cut into the burial chamber floor presumed to have held canopic jars.