Headless Pyramid — Saqqara North Lepsius XXIX Teti Vicinity
5th Dyna Unas? Lepsius XXIX; now identified as Menkauhor local 2390 BCE?·Old Kingdom 5th Dynasty possibly Menkauhor Kaiu·🇪🇬 Memphis, North Saqqara, east of Teti pyramid, near Unas causeway, Saqqara 10400 area, Egypt
About
About Headless Pyramid — Saqqara North Lepsius XXIX Teti Vicinity
Headless Pyramid excavated by Hawass 2008, Menkauhor identification, substructure with portcullis. Recorded context — Period: 5th Dyna Unas? Lepsius XXIX; now identified as Menkauhor local 2390 BCE?; Culture: Old Kingdom 5th Dynasty possibly Menkauhor Kaiu; Field status: excavated; Materials: limestone, basalt portcullis; Condition: mound — headless robbed.
Why it mattersKey Old Kingdom 5th Dynasty possibly Menkauhor Kaiu pyramid with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Collapse cause
- 02Astronomical alignment
Theories
- 01Territorial marker
- 02Defensive stronghold
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. 2390 BCE Menkauhor pyramid 52 m base now headless
- Period
- 5th Dyna Unas? Lepsius XXIX; now identified as Menkauhor local 2390 BCE?
- Culture
- Old Kingdom 5th Dynasty possibly Menkauhor Kaiu
- Purpose
- Headless Pyramid mound (52 m base) east of Teti — Lepsius XXIX rediscovered 2008 Zahi Hawass as Menkauhor?
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1913
- Excavation
- Excavated
1950 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Headless Pyramid — Saqqara North Lepsius XXIX Teti Vicinity
c. 200 CE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Headless Pyramid — Saqqara North Lepsius XXIX Teti Vicinity
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8730° N · 31.2200° E · 45 m · 4 mapped features
- Headless Pyramid — Saqqara North Lepsius XXIX Teti Vicinity — Principal Pyramidpyramidpyramid at Headless Pyramid — Saqqara North Lepsius XXIX Teti Vicinity — subsidiary complex29.8727° N · 31.2210° E
- Headless Pyramid — Saqqara North Lepsius XXIX Teti Vicinity — Northern Chamberchamberchamber at Headless Pyramid — Saqqara North Lepsius XXIX Teti Vicinity — subsidiary complex29.8745° N · 31.2204° E
- Headless Pyramid — Saqqara North Lepsius XXIX Teti Vicinity — Causeway Annex 3causewaycauseway at Headless Pyramid — Saqqara North Lepsius XXIX Teti Vicinity — hydraulic feature29.8733° N · 31.2202° E
- Headless Pyramid — Saqqara North Lepsius XXIX Teti Vicinity — Eastern Pyramidpyramidpyramid at Headless Pyramid — Saqqara North Lepsius XXIX Teti Vicinity — hydraulic feature29.8744° N · 31.2200° E
Gallery