Pyramid of Neith — Queen of Pepi II
Pyramid of Queen Neith · South Saqqara Pyramid C
Old Kingdom, 6th Dynasty·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Memphis Necropolis, South Saqqara, Egypt
About
About Pyramid of Neith — Queen of Pepi II
Largest and northernmost of the three queens pyramids surrounding Pepi II at South Saqqara, built for Queen Neith, eldest daughter of Ankhenespepi I and Pepi I, and principal wife of Pepi II. Discovered by Gustave Jéquier in 1928, the pyramid yielded the most extensive Pyramid Texts among queens, empty granite sarcophagus, canopic chest and miniature vessels. Its mortuary temple faces Pepi II causeway and included courtyard with lotus columns later re-erected in situ.
Why it mattersMost complete queens Texts corpus; proof of intermarriage within Pepi family consolidating 6th Dynasty succession.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why Neith alone has near-king-size temple
Theories
- 01Neith may have been mother of Merenre Nemtyemsaf II
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. 2278–2216 BCE
- Period
- Old Kingdom, 6th Dynasty
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Purpose
- Principal queens pyramid for Neith, chief wife of Pepi II, north of Pepi II pyramid
- Excavation
- Excavated
1928
Gustave Jéquier excavates Neith pyramid
2005
Audran Labrousse conserves Texts walls
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8448° N · 31.2172° E · 56 m · 2 mapped features
Pyramid Texts chambers
chamberInscribed burial apartments, antechamber and corridor
29.8449° N · 31.2172° EMortuary temple courtyard
templeColumned courtyard and offering hall east of pyramid
29.8448° N · 31.2172° E
Gallery