Back هرم نفر إر كارع كاكاي Arabic هرم نفريركارع ARZ Pirámide de Neferirkara AST নেফেরিরকারের পিরামিড Bengali/Bangla Piràmide de Nefererkare Catalan Neferirkare-Pyramide German Pirámide de Neferirkara Spanish هرم نفریرکارع کاکای Persian Pyramide de Néferirkarê French Noferirkaré-piramis Hungarian

Pyramid of Neferirkare

Pyramid of Neferirkare
The prominent but crumbling remains of a pyramid, with its original, well-preserved stepped structure exposed underneath the rubble
Neferirkare Kakai
Coordinates29°53′42″N 31°12′09″E / 29.89500°N 31.20250°E / 29.89500; 31.20250
Ancient name
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Bꜣ Nfr-ỉr-kꜣ-Rꜥ
Ba Nefer-ir-ka-Re
"Ba Neferirkare"
Alternatively translated as "Neferirkare takes form"[2]
ConstructedFifth Dynasty (c. 25th century BC)
TypeStep pyramid (originally)
True pyramid (converted)
MaterialLimestone[3]
Height52 metres (171 ft; 99 cu)[4]
(Step pyramid)
72.8 metres (239 ft; 139 cu)[5] (True pyramid, original)
Base72 metres (236 ft; 137 cu)[4] (Step pyramid)
105 metres (344 ft; 200 cu)[5] (True pyramid)
Volume257,250 m3 (336,470 cu yd)[6]
Slope76°[4] (Step pyramid)
54°30′[5] (True pyramid)
Pyramid of Neferirkare is located in Lower Egypt
Pyramid of Neferirkare
Location within Lower Egypt

The pyramid of Neferirkare (Egyptian: Bꜣ Nfr-ỉr-kꜣ-rꜥ "the Ba of Neferirkare"[5]) was built for the Fifth Dynasty pharaoh Neferirkare Kakai in the 25th century BC.[7][a] It was the tallest structure on the highest site at the necropolis of Abusir, found between Giza and Saqqara, and still towers over the necropolis. The pyramid is also significant because its excavation led to the discovery of the Abusir Papyri.

The Fifth Dynasty marked the end of the great pyramid constructions during the Old Kingdom. Pyramids of the era were smaller and becoming more standardized, though intricate relief decoration also proliferated. Neferirkare's pyramid deviated from convention as it was originally built as a step pyramid: a design that had been antiquated after the Third Dynasty (26th or 27th century BC).[b] This was then encased in a second step pyramid with alterations intended to convert it into a true pyramid;[c] However, the pharaoh's death left the work to be completed by his successors. The remaining works were completed in haste, using cheaper building material.

Because of the circumstances, Neferirkare's monument lacked several basic elements of a pyramid complex: a valley temple, a causeway, and a cult pyramid. Instead, these were replaced by a small settlement of mudbrick houses south of the monument from where cult priests could conduct their daily activities, rather than the usual pyramid town near the valley temple. The discovery of the Abusir papyri in the 1890s is owed to this. Normally, the papyrus archives would have been contained in the pyramid town where their destruction would have been assured. The pyramid became part of a greater family cemetery. The monuments to Neferirkare's consort, Khentkaus II; and his sons, Neferefre and Nyuserre Ini, are found in the surrounds. Though their construction began under different rulers, all four of these monuments were completed during the reign of Nyuserre.

  1. ^ Borchardt 1909, p. 4.
  2. ^ a b c Altenmüller 2001, p. 598.
  3. ^ Verner 2001e, p. 291.
  4. ^ a b c Verner 2001e, p. 463.
  5. ^ a b c d Arnold 2003, p. 160.
  6. ^ Bárta 2005, p. 180.
  7. ^ a b Verner 2001c, p. 589.
  8. ^ Clayton 1994, p. 30.
  9. ^ a b Shaw 2003, p. 482.
  10. ^ a b Allen et al. 1999, p. xx.
  11. ^ a b Lehner 2008, p. 8.
  12. ^ Dodson & Hilton 2004, p. 288.
  13. ^ Grimal 1992, p. 389.
  14. ^ Arnold 2003, p. 265.
  15. ^ Verner 2001e, p. 473.
  16. ^ Dodson & Hilton 2004, p. 287.
  17. ^ Verner 2001d, pp. 87, 89.


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