Pyramid of Queen Iput II (Pepi II Complex, South Saqqara)
Iput II Pyramid · Apout Pyramid
Old Kingdom, late 6th Dynasty·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Giza Governorate, South Saqqara, Egypt
About
About Pyramid of Queen Iput II (Pepi II Complex, South Saqqara)
Middle queen pyramid of Pepi II at South Saqqara, dedicated to Iput II (possibly daughter of Pepi I). Base 38.5 m, height ~16 m, with 20-columned courtyard mortuary temple and intact alabaster offering slab inscribed for queen. Pyramid Texts fragmentarily preserved on chamber walls; Jéquier found canopic chest fragments and model vessels. Share enclosure wall with Wedjebten pyramid; north chapel with false door stela shows queen seated receiving offerings.
Why it mattersComparative dataset for queenly Pyramid Texts evolution; reveals Pepi II's family politics at end of Old Kingdom.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Iput II parentage — Pepi I or Merenre daughter
Theories
- 01Queens field mirrors Pepi I queens street at South Saqqara for legitimacy
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.2278–2184 BCE, 6th Dynasty
- Period
- Old Kingdom, late 6th Dynasty
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Builders
- Ancient Egyptian (Pepi II)
- Purpose
- Queen's tomb and ka cult; part of tripartite queens field closing Old Kingdom
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2278–2184 BCE, 6th Dynasty
Initial construction
c. 1285 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8416° N · 31.2144° E · 58 m · 2 mapped features
Iput II pyramid temple courtyard
temple20-bases columned court with offering hall
29.8416° N · 31.2144° EBurial chamber with texts
chamberGabled chamber with Pyramid Texts limestone revetment
29.8415° N · 31.2144° E
Gallery