Naqada Small Step Pyramid — Ombos
Naqada Pyramid · Pyramid of Naqada · Ombos Pyramid · Pyramid of Ombos
late 3rd–early 4th Dynasty, c.2630 BCE·Ancient Egyptian (Huni/Sneferu)·🇪🇬 Qena Governorate, Egypt
About
About Naqada Small Step Pyramid — Ombos
Three-step small pyramid at Ombos (Kom el-Ahmar) west of Naqada: 14 m base, 3 steps, now low mound. Excavated by Flinders Petrie, Quibell and later Kaiser-Dreyer. Best preserved of southern small pyramids with limestone casing footing and construction dock. Overlooks Predynastic Naqada culture cemetery. Links early dynastic chiefdom centre (Naqada) to Old Kingdom provincial administration. Pottery and sealings confirm Huni horizon.
Why it mattersKey Ancient Egyptian (Huni/Sneferu) pyramid with stratified sequence and regional importance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Relationship to Naqada culture type-site 2 km north
- 02Why Naqada rather than Coptos for nome pyramid
Theories
- 01Appropriation of Predynastic centre by Old Kingdom state
- 02Wadi Hammamat desert trade route marker
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.2630 BCE (Huni/Sneferu)
- Period
- late 3rd–early 4th Dynasty, c.2630 BCE
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian (Huni/Sneferu)
- Purpose
- Small step pyramid at Ombos near Naqada, marking Coptos nome and Eastern Desert trade route to Wadi Hammamat
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.2630 BCE
Construction over Predynastic spur
1895
Petrie-Quibell first recording
1973
Kaiser-Dreyer detailed survey
On the ground
Structures & features
25.9765° N · 32.7330° E · 80 m · 2 mapped features
Limestone step pyramid mound
structureThree-step limestone core with intact SE corner casing foundation
25.9765° N · 32.7330° EPredynastic cemetery and offering bench
cemeteryNaqada II-III cemetery and mudbrick offering bench south of pyramid
25.9764° N · 32.7331° E