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. 2448-2445 BCE
Construction as the cult/satellite pyramid of Neferefre's complex
1902-08
Surveyed by the Borchardt (Deutsche Orient-Gesellschaft) expedition
1980-
Excavated with the main complex by Verner (Czech Institute of Egyptology)
1979
Inscribed as part of Memphis and its Necropolis UNESCO World Heritage Site (id 86)
On the ground