Pyramid of Khendjer
Pyramid of Chendjer · Khendjer Pyramid at Saqqara South
Second Intermediate Period, early 13th Dynasty·Ancient Egyptian (13th Dynasty; king foreign origin 'boar')·🇪🇬 Giza Governorate, South Saqqara, Saqqara South, Egypt
About
About Pyramid of Khendjer
Only completed pyramid of 13th Dynasty at South Saqqara, for obscure Levantine-derived king Khendjer (c. 1760 BCE), base 52.5 m, 37.35 m high, mudbrick core with quartzite capping and massive quartzite portcullises. Gustave Jéquier excavated 1929, found black granite pyramidion and intact 60 t quartzite burial apartments reused Hawara technology on small scale; marks last pyramid with substructure known.
Why it mattersLast intact royal pyramid; bridges Middle Kingdom to Second Intermediate Period foreign-king phenomenon.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Khendjer's foreign Levantine origin name meaning 'boar'
Theories
- 01Short-lived resuscitation of pyramid form using small workforce; after Khendjer pyramids abandoned for shaft tombs
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. 1760 BCE (Khendjer)
- Period
- Second Intermediate Period, early 13th Dynasty
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian (13th Dynasty; king foreign origin 'boar')
- Purpose
- Tomb of Khendjer
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 1760 BCE (Khendjer)
Initial construction
c. 1048 CE
Rediscovery
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8322° N · 31.2239° E · 60 m · 3 mapped features
Quartzite burial apartments
chamber60 t monolithic quartzite chamber with double portcullis
29.8323° N · 31.2239° EBlack granite pyramidion
pyramidionCapstone found at foot (now Cairo Museum)
29.8323° N · 31.2239° ENorthern chapel ruins
chapelMudbrick chapel on north face
29.8325° N · 31.2239° E
Gallery