Saqqara Headless Pyramid Lepsius XXIX South
Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE)·Ancient Egyptian (Old Kingdom)·🇪🇬 Giza, South Saqqara, Egypt
About
About Saqqara Headless Pyramid Lepsius XXIX South
Saqqara Headless Pyramid Lepsius XXIX South in Giza, South Saqqara, Egypt is a Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE) pyramid attributed to Ancient Egyptian (Old Kingdom). Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal base 95 × 95 m and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 29.8430N 31.2220E controls access to Giza resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey pyramid for Giza, South Saqqara, illustrating Ancient Egyptian (Old Kingdom) construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction logistics and labour organisation
- 02Astronomical orientation method
Theories
- 01Royal tomb with cult temple axis
- 02Experimental step before true pyramid
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. 2600–2500 BCE
- Period
- Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE)
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian (Old Kingdom)
- Purpose
- Royal tomb and ceremonial platform embodying cosmology
- Rediscovered
- 1971 survey
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 2600–2500 BCE
Initial construction of Saqqara Headless Pyramid Lepsius XXIX South main structure
c. 1911
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1971–2016
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Saqqara Headless Pyramid Lepsius XXIX South) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8430° N · 31.2220° E · 157 m · 3 mapped features
- Saqqara Headless Pyramid Lepsius XXIX South — Main StructurestructurePrincipal pyramid — Base 95 × 95 m with diagnostic masonry/panel29.8438° N · 31.2229° E
- Saqqara Headless Pyramid Lepsius XXIX South — Ancillary ComplexcomplexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature29.8420° N · 31.2213° E
- Saqqara Headless Pyramid Lepsius XXIX South — Peripheral FeatureoutlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial29.8445° N · 31.2232° E
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