Satellite Pyramid of Neferefre — Abusir
Old Kingdom, 5th Dynasty, Neferefre, c.2460 BCE·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Abusir, Memphis Necropolis, Egypt
About
About Satellite Pyramid of Neferefre — Abusir
Small cult pyramid east of unfinished Pyramid of Neferefre (Raneferef) at Abusir (5th Dynasty, c.2460 BCE). 21.3 m base, limestone core with casing foundation trench. Verner (Czech mission 1980s) documented it alongside Neferefre causeway remnant; cult pyramid retains limestone pavement and wooden model deposit.
Why it mattersOnly Abusir cult pyramid beside unfinished main pyramid; Verner typology of 5th Dynasty unfinished complexes.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Why cult pyramid started though main pyramid unfinished
Theories
- 01Ritual requirement independent of main pyramid completion
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.2460 BCE, unfinished main pyramid
- Period
- Old Kingdom, 5th Dynasty, Neferefre, c.2460 BCE
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Builders
- Ancient Egyptian (Neferefre)
- Purpose
- Cult (ka) pyramid for unfinished Neferefre complex
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2460 BCE, unfinished main pyramid
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
29.8942° N · 31.2025° E · 70 m · 2 mapped features
Cult pyramid foundation and pavement
foundationLimestone foundation blocks and pavement marking 21.3 m square
29.8943° N · 31.2024° ENorth chapel model deposit
depositFoundation deposit of wooden model vessels and tool replicas
29.8941° N · 31.2026° E