Headless Pyramid at Saqqara
Lepsius XXIX · Steinpyramide XXIX · Headless Pyramid (Lepsius XXIX) · Pyramid of Menkauhor (?)
5th Dynasty (Menkauhor, c.2420 BCE) or 10th Dynasty (Merikare, c.2050 BCE) — disputed·Ancient Egyptian (Old Kingdom Menkauhor or First Intermediate Merikare)·🇪🇬 Giza Governorate, Saqqara central field 120 m east of Pyramid of Teti, south of Abusir, Egypt
About
About Headless Pyramid at Saqqara
Ruined 5th or 10th Dynasty pyramid (Lepsius XXIX) 52 m base, now headless mound 7 m high with only limestone foundation and substructure intact. Subterranean corridor with unfinished quartzite portcullis; burial chamber empty. Attributed tentatively to Menkauhor (8-year reign, 5th Dynasty) or Merikare (10th Dynasty Herakleopolitan). Entered by Maspero 1881 seeking Pyramid Texts (none found), re-excavated Hawass 2008 revealing quartzite lid. Only royal pyramid between Teti and Pepi I in central Saqqara gap.
Why it mattersOnly evidence for Menkauhor pyramid if 5th Dynasty; if Merikare, only pyramid of Herakleopolitan 10th Dynasty bridging Old Kingdom to Middle Kingdom at Saqqara.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Owner Menkauhor vs Merikare attribution
- 02Why no Pyramid Texts despite Teti neighbour having them
Theories
- 01Headless due to rapid dismantling for Teti causeway stone; 8-year reign left unfinished quartzite chamber
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.2420 BCE (Menkauhor) or c.2050 BCE (Merikare)
- Period
- 5th Dynasty (Menkauhor, c.2420 BCE) or 10th Dynasty (Merikare, c.2050 BCE) — disputed
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian (Old Kingdom Menkauhor or First Intermediate Merikare)
- Purpose
- Royal tomb for ephemeral king (Menkauhor/Merikare) — headless ruin with substructure
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2420 BCE (Menkauhor) or c.2050 BCE (Merikare)
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1200–600 BCE
Major use phase and refurbishment
20th century
Modern archaeological survey and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8711° N · 31.2206° E · 58 m · 3 mapped features
Headless Pyramid foundation
pyramid52 m limestone foundation with trench
29.8711° N · 31.2206° ESubterranean corridor
corridor23 m descending corridor with three quartzite portcullis beds
29.8710° N · 31.2204° EQuartzite chamber
chamberUnfinished burial chamber with quartzite portcullis
29.8709° N · 31.2203° E
Gallery