Satellite (Cult) Pyramid of Pepi I
Old Kingdom, 6th Dynasty, Pepi I, c.2332 BCE·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 South Saqqara, Memphis Necropolis, Egypt
About
About Satellite (Cult) Pyramid of Pepi I
Small cult (ka) pyramid SE of Pepi I main pyramid (c.2332 BCE, 6th Dynasty). 15.7 m base, 15.7 m high, 63° slope, smooth limestone casing over limestone rubble. Symbolically houses king's ka; discovered and cleared by Jéquier (1936-39); internal chamber plain, offering courtyard on north.
Why it mattersStandard 6th Dynasty cult pyramid typology; Jéquier corpus; illustrates Pepi I complex symmetry.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Ka vs. queen vs. symbolic south tomb interpretations
- 02No burial found — cenotaph proof
Theories
- 01Ka soul double per Lehner; ritual south tomb of Djoser tradition
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.2332–2283 BCE, 6th Dynasty
- Period
- Old Kingdom, 6th Dynasty, Pepi I, c.2332 BCE
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Builders
- Ancient Egyptian (Pepi I)
- Purpose
- Ka pyramid — ritual embodiment of king's soul alongside main north-south axis
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c.2332–2283 BCE, 6th Dynasty
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
29.8525° N · 31.2192° E · 55 m · 2 mapped features
Cult chamber — T-shaped substructure
chamberSmall descending corridor and single undecorated chamber under pyramid
29.8526° N · 31.2191° ENorth offering courtyard
templePaved courtyard and altar on north side for ka ritual
29.8526° N · 31.2192° E