Pyramid of Queen Wedjebten (Pepi II Complex, South Saqqara)
Udjebten Pyramid · Wedjebetni
Old Kingdom, very late 6th Dynasty·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Giza Governorate, South Saqqara, Egypt
About
About Pyramid of Queen Wedjebten (Pepi II Complex, South Saqqara)
Westernmost and smallest of Pepi II's three queen pyramids (base 23.5 m, height ~13 m), dedicated to Wedjebten, likely late wife of Pepi II. Distinctive for intact cedar wood canopic box and inscribed linen wrappings found in burial chamber, plus well-preserved Pyramid Texts on western gable (Spells 211–214). Its mortuary temple is minimal — single chapel and three magazine rooms — reflecting declining resources at close of Old Kingdom. Small satellite pyramid demolished for reuse.
Why it mattersTerminal Old Kingdom pyramid; organic finds (cedar, linen) dated by radiocarbon confirm chronology of long Pepi II reign.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Wedjebten's origin — possibly commoner elevated
Theories
- 01Shrinking size reflects state decentralization preceding First Intermediate Period
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.2220–2184 BCE, late Pepi II (6th Dynasty)
- Period
- Old Kingdom, very late 6th Dynasty
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Builders
- Ancient Egyptian (Pepi II)
- Purpose
- Queen tomb marking final major pyramid construction of Old Kingdom
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2220–2184 BCE, late Pepi II (6th Dynasty)
Initial construction
c. 1216 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8410° N · 31.2140° E · 57 m · 2 mapped features
Wedjebten burial chamber
chamberText-inscribed chamber with cedar canopic niche
29.8410° N · 31.2140° EMortuary chapel
chapelSmall offering chapel with false door of Wedjebten
29.8411° N · 31.2138° E
Gallery