Pyramid of Sahure
Pyramid of Sahura
Old Kingdom, 5th Dynasty early·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Giza Governorate, Abusir, Egypt
No machine-readable author provided. Neithsabes assumed (based on copyright claims). · Public domain
About
About Pyramid of Sahure
First pyramid at Abusir for second king of 5th Dynasty (47.5 m high, 78.75 m base, angle 50°11'), introducing 5th Dynasty pyramidal art refinement: exquisite limestone mortuary temple reliefs (naval expedition to Punt, Libyans), palm columns and separate valley temple connected by causeway. Borchardt excavated 1902-08; model for later 5th Dynasty pyramids.
Why it mattersType-site for 5th Dynasty funerary temple decoration and palm-column architecture.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Punt expedition depicted – earliest naval relief
Theories
- 01Abusir chosen to be near Heliopolis Re temple; naval scenes document Red Sea trade
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. 2487–2475 BCE
- Period
- Old Kingdom, 5th Dynasty early
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Purpose
- Tomb of Sahure
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2487–2475 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1428 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
29.8978° N · 31.2033° E · 60 m · 3 mapped features
Mortuary Temple palm court
templePalm granite columns and Punt reliefs
29.8975° N · 31.2035° ECauseway
causeway235 m causeway with reliefs
29.8985° N · 31.2020° EValley Temple
templeValley temple with royal family reliefs
29.8990° N · 31.2005° E
Gallery