Pyramid of Queen Neith (Pepi II Complex, South Saqqara)
Pyramid of Nit · Neith Pyramid of Pepi II
Old Kingdom, late 6th Dynasty·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Giza Governorate, South Saqqara, Egypt
About
About Pyramid of Queen Neith (Pepi II Complex, South Saqqara)
Largest and best-preserved of Pepi II's three queen pyramids at South Saqqara (6th Dynasty, late Old Kingdom), excavated by Gustav Jéquier 1926–32. Base 45.5 m, original height ~21 m, with its own mortuary temple, offering hall and 16 m-long descending corridor of Pyramid Texts (extending royal afterlife spells to queens for first time). Belongs to Neith, named after goddess, mother of Merenre Nemtyemsaf II? Chapel reliefs depict queen with royal titulary and vases; satellite pyramid Neith's small stepped cult pyramid at southeast corner.
Why it mattersFirst queen pyramid to contain Pyramid Texts; demonstrates elevation of queenship in 6th Dynasty and standardization of texts beyond kings.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Neith's exact genealogy — daughter of Pepi I Ankhesenpepi I?
- 02Which son became Merenre II
Theories
- 01Text diffusion reflects democratization of afterlife; South Saqqara queens field as political legitimization for long Pepi II reign
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, early reign of Pepi II (6th Dynasty)
- Period
- Old Kingdom, late 6th Dynasty
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Builders
- Ancient Egyptian (Pepi II)
- Purpose
- Queen consort tomb with Pyramid Texts; dynastic cult continuity
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2278–2184 BCE, early reign of Pepi II (6th Dynasty)
Initial construction
c. 1362 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8411° N · 31.2151° E · 58 m · 2 mapped features
Neith pyramid substructure
pyramidCorridor and burial chamber with Pyramid Texts bands
29.8411° N · 31.2151° ECult pyramid of Neith
cult pyramidSmall 8 m cult pyramid at southeast corner of enclosure
29.8409° N · 31.2153° E
Gallery