Pyramid of Queen Nubwenet
Old Kingdom, 6th Dynasty, c.2320 BCE·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 South Saqqara, Memphis Necropolis, Egypt
About
About Pyramid of Queen Nubwenet
Queens pyramid of Nubwenet, wife of Pepi I, far eastern row of Pepi I queens field. Side 21 m, height 21 m (equilateral section), limestone core with recut Tura casing fragments. Jéquier cleared 1920s; Labrousse re-excavation found fragmented sarcophagus and offering table. The pyramid shares eastern enclosure Wall with Meretites II.
Why it matters21 m equilateral canon for 6th Dynasty queens; eastern row typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Nubwenet parentage and rank among Pepi I wives
Theories
- 01Eastern queens lower rank than western Text-queens
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.2320 BCE, mid Pepi I
- Period
- Old Kingdom, 6th Dynasty, c.2320 BCE
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Builders
- Ancient Egyptian (Pepi I)
- Purpose
- Queens burial — consort Nubwenet, daughter of perhaps Vizier?
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.2320 BCE, mid Pepi I
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
29.8548° N · 31.2215° E · 55 m · 2 mapped features
North descending corridor
corridorNorth-face descending corridor with granite portcullis slot
29.8549° N · 31.2214° EEastern mortuary temple podium
templeRaised mudbrick temple with limestone offering table base
29.8547° N · 31.2217° E