Pyramid of Naqada (Ombos)
Naqada Pyramid · Pyramid of Ombos · Nubt Pyramid · Pyramid of Naqada (Nubt)
Late 3rd Dynasty (Huni, c.2630–2613 BCE)·Ancient Egyptian (Huni)·🇪🇬 Qena Governorate, 300 m north of ancient Ombos (Nubt) near modern Naqada, Egypt
About
About Pyramid of Naqada (Ombos)
Huni provincial step pyramid near Ombos (ancient Nubt), 18.39 m base, 3 steps, 4.50 m high today. Limestone blocks with Tafla mortar, without burial chamber, with eastern ramp. First excavated 1895 by Petrie-Quibell. Collapsed southwestern corner exposes layered fill. Marks northern limit of southern Huni group (Naqada to Edfu). Adjacent Predynastic Naqada culture cemeteries.
Why it mattersLinks Naqada culture type-site to Huni provincial pyramid network; Petrie's early Naqada typology and Predynastic sequence.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01No offering installation preserved
- 02Why Naqada location vs Coptos 20 km north
Theories
- 01Nome capital marker for Coptos region predecessor
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.2630 BCE (Huni)
- Period
- Late 3rd Dynasty (Huni, c.2630–2613 BCE)
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian (Huni)
- Purpose
- Cenotaph for northern Upper Egyptian nome capital (Nubt)
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2630 BCE (Huni)
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1200–600 BCE
Major use phase and refurbishment
20th century
Modern archaeological survey and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
25.9765° N · 32.7330° E · 88 m · 3 mapped features
Naqada step core
pyramid18.39 m three-step limestone pyramid
25.9765° N · 32.7330° EEastern ramp
rampMudbrick ramp east face
25.9766° N · 32.7332° ESouthwest collapse exposure
exposureLayered fill visible in collapsed quadrant
25.9763° N · 32.7328° E
Gallery