Pyramid of Merenre
Pyramid of Merenre Nemtyemsaf
Old Kingdom, 6th Dynasty·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Giza Governorate, South Saqqara, Egypt
About
About Pyramid of Merenre
Brief-reigned 6th Dynasty king Merenre's unfinished? pyramid between Pepi I and Djedkare Isesi at South Saqqara, base 78.75 m, attempted height 52.5 m, with fine Pyramid Texts and polychrome relief fragments. Maspero entered 1880; recent Franco-Egyptian clearance revealed intact mortuary temple.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Whether completed before premature death
Theories
- 01Rapid construction leveraging Pepi I workforce; texts reused and adapted
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. 2283–2278 BCE (5–6 year reign)
- Period
- Old Kingdom, 6th Dynasty
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Purpose
- Tomb of Merenre I
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 2283–2278 BCE (5–6 year reign)
Initial construction
c. 1142 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8511° N · 31.2144° E · 55 m · 2 mapped features
Substructure entrance north
entranceDescending corridor with texts
29.8513° N · 31.2144° EMortuary Temple
templeMudbrick valley and mortuary temples
29.8509° N · 31.2147° E
Gallery