Pyramid of Userkaf

The pyramid complex of Userkaf was built for the pharaoh Userkaf, founder of the 5th Dynasty of Egypt (c. 2494–2345 BC). It is located in the pyramid field at Saqqara, near the step pyramid of Djoser. Today, the pyramid looks like a hill covered in sand and stones, and is known locally as El-Haram el-Maharbish, meaning the "Heap of Stone". It was only recognized as a royal pyramid by archaeologists in the 19th century.

Userkaf's pyramid is part of a larger area that includes a temple, a small chapel, and a smaller pyramid for his wife, the queen Neferhetepes. Unfortunately, most of these buildings are now damaged and hard to see. The queen's pyramid is just a pile of rubble, with its inner chamber exposed.

This pyramid complex is different from earlier ones built during the 4th Dynasty (c. 2613–2494 BC), as it is smaller and located at Saqqara instead of the Giza Plateau. These differences might show changes in how kings were seen during the time between the 4th and 5th dynasties, changes that may have started during the rule of Shepseskaf, Userkaf’s predecessor. Long after it was built, the pyramid complex was repaired by Ramesses II. Much later, during the Saite period (664–525 BC), the area was used as a place for burials.

Discovery and excavations

The entrance of the pyramid was found in 1831 by an Italian expert named Orazio Marucchi. It wasn’t entered until 1839 when John Shae Perring used a tunnel made by people looking for treasures. Perring wasn’t sure who built the pyramid and thought it belonged to a pharaoh named Djedkare Isesi. Later, in 1842, Karl Richard Lepsius added it to his list of pyramids.

In 1927, Cecil Mallaby Firth and Jean-Philippe Lauer began digging again. They found a temple and tombs from a later time called the Saite period. The next year, they discovered a stone piece with a picture and a large stone head of Userkaf, confirming he was the pyramid’s owner. After Firth passed away in 1931, Lauer continued the work from 1948 to 1955. Later, in 1976, Ahmed el-Khouli explored more of the area. The entrance was covered again after an earthquake in 1991, and more work was done by Audran Labrousse in 2000.

Morturary complex

The mortuary complex of Userkaf has similar structures to those built for pharaohs before him. It was surrounded by a high wall and included a pyramid and a high temple. There was likely a valley temple closer to the Nile River, but it has not yet been found. This temple was connected to the pyramid by a path, though its exact route is not known.

The layout of Userkaf's complex is different from earlier ones. It is arranged from north to south instead of east to west. The high temple is south of the main pyramid, and a small room for offerings is attached to the east side of the pyramid. Nearby is a smaller pyramid complex believed to belong to Userkaf's wife, Queen Neferhetepes.

Userkaf's temple has been difficult to study because much of it was taken away over time, and a later tomb was dug in the middle of it, causing more damage. We know it had parts like other temples from earlier times, but its layout was different. A path led to the temple, which had rooms for storing items and a large open space with pillars. The walls had beautiful carvings showing scenes of everyday life.

Two doors led to a smaller room with pillars, and beyond that were rooms to store items and a special place for statues of the king. Today, only some stones from the floor and large blocks around the main door can still be seen.

A small room for offerings is attached to the east side of the main pyramid. It had a central room with two pillars and two smaller rooms on the sides. The walls had carvings showing offerings being made.

In the south-west corner of Userkaf's complex is a small pyramid meant to hold a statue connected to the king's spirit. It was 15 metres high with a base 21 metres long. The pyramid's core was made of limestone blocks and was covered with finer stone, which has since been taken away. Only the bottom layers remain today. The pyramid has a special underground chamber with a sloped roof.

Main pyramid

Userkaf's pyramid is found on the northeast corner of Djoser's step pyramid complex. It was originally about 49 metres (161 ft) tall and 73 metres (240 ft) wide, with a slope of 53°. The inside of the pyramid is made of small blocks of local limestone, arranged in layers. This saved a lot of work compared to older pyramids, but over time, the outer stone was taken away, leaving the pyramid in ruins today.

The pyramid does not have rooms inside. Instead, there are rooms underground, reached from a path north of the pyramid. This path leads down to a tunnel with a chamber that may have held items for the pharaoh’s journey. Further along is an antechamber and a burial chamber, where pieces of an empty black stone sarcophagus and a canopic chest were found. The rooms have strong ceilings to support the pyramid above.

Pyramid complex of Queen Neferhetepes

Pharaohs in the Old Kingdom often built burial places for their family members near their own. Userkaf did the same, building a small pyramid complex for his queen, Neferhetepes, about 10 metres south of his own pyramid. Today, this pyramid is mostly ruined and looks like a small pile of stones.

The pyramid was first found in 1928 during excavations near Userkaf’s main pyramid. It was later confirmed to belong to Queen Neferhetepes in 1943 when a priest’s tomb nearby mentioned her name. Further excavations in 1979 also supported this. The pyramid was originally about 16.8 metres tall and had a square base of about 26 metres. Inside, there was a special chamber under the peak of the pyramid, built with large limestone blocks and having a sloped roof, much like other pyramids of that time. The pyramid had its own temple on the east side where special ceremonies took place.

Later alterations

The pyramid of Userkaf was repaired long ago by Khaemweset, who lived around 1280–1225 BC. He was the fourth son of Ramesses II. We know about this because of carvings that show Khaemweset with people bringing offerings.

Later, during the time of the 26th Dynasty (about 685-525 BC), Userkaf’s temple was used as a place for burials. A big deep grave was dug there, which makes it hard for experts today to understand the original design of the temple. This shows that by this time, the temple was already broken down.