Pyramid of Queen Ankhesenpepi II (Pepi I Queens Field, South Saqqara)
Ankhesenpepy II · Anchesenpepi II pyramid
Old Kingdom, late 6th Dynasty·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Giza Governorate, South Saqqara, Egypt
About
About Pyramid of Queen Ankhesenpepi II (Pepi I Queens Field, South Saqqara)
Major queen pyramid on the 'Avenue of Queens' south of Pepi I at South Saqqara, belonging to Ankhesenpepi II, wife of Pepi I and mother of Pepi II (late 6th Dynasty). Base 31 m, height ~16 m, with classic T-shaped mortuary temple, three statue niches, and Pyramid Texts covering vestibule and chamber (first royal mother texts). Jéquier found queen's alabaster statue and inscribed obelisk fragment; intact canopic jars with queen's name. Enclosure shares wall with Queen Inenek-Inti.
Why it mattersQueen mother texts are earliest maternal Pyramid Texts; political statement of 6th Dynasty queen mothers as regents.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Ankhesenpepi II's brother Djau vizier role in succession
Theories
- 01Queens street as dynastic cemetery foreshadowing later valley of queens concept
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.2280–2270 BCE, Pepi I to early Pepi II transition
- Period
- Old Kingdom, late 6th Dynasty
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Builders
- Ancient Egyptian (Pepi I / Merenre)
- Purpose
- Queen mother tomb elevating maternal lineage; legitimizing child king Pepi II
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2280–2270 BCE, Pepi I to early Pepi II transition
Initial construction
c. 1225 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8535° N · 31.2194° E · 56 m · 2 mapped features
Ankhesenpepi II pyramid chamber
pyramidPyramid Texts chamber with blue pigment
29.8535° N · 31.2194° EMortuary temple niches
templeThree statue niches in T-temple courtyard
29.8536° N · 31.2196° E