Pyramid of Queen Ankhesenpepi I
Old Kingdom, 6th Dynasty, c.2332 BCE·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 South Saqqara, Memphis Necropolis, Egypt
About
About Pyramid of Queen Ankhesenpepi I
Tiny queens pyramid south of Pepi I pyramid for Ankhesenpepi I — wife of Pepi I and mother of Merenre. 20.2 m base, limestone core, ancillary brick temple. Audran Labrousse's French mission (1998-2005) uncovered Pyramid Texts on chamber walls and canopic jar fragment bearing queen's name, plus adjacent pyramid of sister Ankhesenpepi II.
Why it mattersSister-queens pair Ankhesenpepi I & II demonstrates Pepi I double marriage alliance; Texts extend royal prerogative to queens.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology vs sister Ankhesenpepi II pyramid
Theories
- 01Political double marriage to consolidate 6th Dynasty
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.2332–2283 BCE
- Period
- Old Kingdom, 6th Dynasty, c.2332 BCE
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Builders
- Ancient Egyptian (Pepi I court)
- Purpose
- Queens pyramid — burial of Ankhesenpepi I, legitimizing Merenre succession
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2332–2283 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c.1200 BCE
Major refurbishment / enlargement phase
c.220 CE
Abandonment or conversion
1890–1930
Modern rediscovery and first scientific survey
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8535° N · 31.2180° E · 56 m · 2 mapped features
Burial chamber — Pyramid Texts
chamberChamber walls inscribed §§ 6th Dynasty Texts for queen's afterlife
29.8536° N · 31.2179° EEast mortuary chapel
chapelMudbrick chapel with offering basin and false door niche
29.8534° N · 31.2182° E