Mastabat al-Faraun — Pyramid Tomb of Shepseskaf (South Saqqara)
Mastaba of Shepseskaf · Mastaba el-Faraoun · Pyramid of Shepseskaf
Old Kingdom, late 4th Dynasty·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Giza Governorate, South Saqqara, Egypt
About
About Mastabat al-Faraun — Pyramid Tomb of Shepseskaf (South Saqqara)
Last royal tomb of the 4th Dynasty (c.2503–2498 BCE), built for Shepseskaf son of Menkaure, deliberately as gigantic mastaba (99.6x74.4 m, 18 m high) rather than true pyramid — a break in pyramid tradition debated as economy, theology or political statement. Core of limestone with pink granite lower casing, inside descending corridor leads to granite-lined burial chamber with false vault and subsidiary chambers containing fragments of basalt sarcophagus. Two-storey mortuary temple east with extensive store rooms; causeway unwalled.
Why it mattersOnly great Old Kingdom mastaba for a king; explains inflection from pyramids to mastaba/queen pyramids before 5th Dynasty revival.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why Shepseskaf rejected pyramid form — theology, budget or family dispute
Theories
- 01Economic strain after Menkaure; reform linking Ra cult with pyramid vs mastaba; unfinished pyramid at Zawiyet el-Aryan prototype copied
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.2503–2498 BCE, late 4th Dynasty (Shepseskaf)
- Period
- Old Kingdom, late 4th Dynasty
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Builders
- Ancient Egyptian (Shepseskaf)
- Purpose
- Royal tomb as mastaba after Menkaure pyramid; possibly rejection of pyramid form or temporary humility after mega-projects
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2503–2498 BCE, late 4th Dynasty (Shepseskaf)
Initial construction
c. 1263 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8386° N · 31.2151° E · 52 m · 2 mapped features
Burial chamber with false vault
chamberGranite-lined chamber with triangular false vault ceiling
29.8386° N · 31.2151° EEastern mortuary temple
templeTwo-storey temple with storerooms and offering hall
29.8387° N · 31.2156° E