![Abusir map](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/98/Abusir_map.png)
The Lepsius XXIV Pyramid is an Egyptian
pyramid
A pyramid (from el, πυραμίς ') is a structure whose outer surfaces are triangular and converge to a single step at the top, making the shape roughly a pyramid in the geometric sense. The base of a pyramid can be trilateral, quadrilat ...
, which was probably built for a wife of King
Nyuserre Ini
Nyuserre Ini (also Niuserre Ini or Neuserre Ini; in Greek known as Rathurês, ''Ῥαθούρης'') was an Ancient Egyptian pharaoh, the sixth ruler of the Fifth Dynasty during the Old Kingdom period. He is credited with a reign of 24 to 35 ye ...
. The largely destroyed
5th Dynasty structure is located in the pyramid field of
Abusir
Abusir ( ar, ابو صير ; Egyptian ''pr wsjr'' cop, ⲃⲟⲩⲥⲓⲣⲓ ' "the House or Temple of Osiris"; grc, Βούσιρις) is the name given to an Egyptian archaeological locality – specifically, an extensive necropolis o ...
, east of the
Pyramid of Neferefre
The pyramid of Neferefre, also known as the pyramid of Raneferef, (in ancient Egyptian ''Nṯrỉ bꜣw Nfr-f-Rꜥ'' ("Divine is Neferefre's power")) is a 25th century BC unfinished pyramid complex built for the Egyptian pharaoh Neferefre of the ...
and south of the
Pyramid of Khentkaus II.
Exploration
On his (1842-1845), the German archaeologist
Karl Richard Lepsius identified a small pyramid site and gave it the number XXIV (24) in his
list of pyramids.
Ludwig Borchardt
Ludwig may refer to:
People and fictional characters
* Ludwig (given name), including a list of people and fictional characters
* Ludwig (surname), including a list of people
* Ludwig Ahgren, or simply Ludwig, American YouTube live streamer and ...
, who explored the necropolis of Abusir six years later, considered the ruins to be a
mastaba or double mastaba and did not investigate it further.
A Czech team led by
Miroslav Verner
Miroslav Verner (born October 31, 1941 in Brno) is a Czech egyptologist, who specializes in the history and archaeology of Ancient Egypt of the Old Kingdom and especially of the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt.
Biography
Verner was the director of th ...
undertook exploratory excavations in 1980-81, 1987 and 1990, as well as a full excavation in 1994 and identified the complex as a pyramid with a
cult pyramid and a
mortuary temple Mortuary temples (or funerary temples) were temples that were erected adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, royal tombs in Ancient Egypt. The temples were designed to commemorate the reign of the Pharaoh under whom they were constructed, as well as ...
, which they assigned to the time of the 5th dynasty King Nyuserre.
[Czech Institute of Egyptology]
Pyramid "Lepsius no. XXIV"
/ref>
Identification
The inhabitant of the pyramid can not yet be identified, since no direct evidence, like inscriptions, remain. It is probable, however, that Nyuserre had the pyramid built for one of his wives, perhaps Reptynub.
Pyramid
With a base measuring 31.5 m x 31.5 m and a slope of 60°15′, the Lepsius XXIV Pyramid originally had a height of 27.3 m. The core structure of the pyramid was built in three layers, according to recent research. The masonry of the first layer consists of a stone casing, with the interior filled with sand, rubble and debris. A ramp structure oriented north–south and extending into the core structure was probably used for the erection of this layer. The second layer again consists of an outer stone casing with several partition walls at oblique angles, made up of irregularly shaped stone fragments. The space between was also filled with loose debris in the same way as the first layer. The third layer no longer exists. According to Verner, the mixed technique increased stability. A cladding of fine limestone appears to have been attached later, since the masonry of the mortuary temple touches the first core layer directly.
The masonry of the pyramid displays a large amount of construction graffiti. These graffiti regularly mention the Vizier
A vizier (; ar, وزير, wazīr; fa, وزیر, vazīr), or wazir, is a high-ranking political advisor or minister in the near east. The Abbasid caliphs gave the title ''wazir'' to a minister formerly called '' katib'' (secretary), who was ...
Ptahshepses, who organised all royal construction under Nyuserre, which indicates that the pyramid was built during his reign.
Substructure
The substructure was laid out as an open grave, which was eventually covered over by the pyramid. The entranceway ran from the north and led to a burial chamber on an east–west orientation. The passageway has been largely been quarried away.
The burial chamber contained fragments of a pink granite
Granite () is a coarse-grained ( phaneritic) intrusive igneous rock composed mostly of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase. It forms from magma with a high content of silica and alkali metal oxides that slowly cools and solidifies undergr ...
sarcophagus, parts of the grave goods and the damaged mummy
A mummy is a dead human or an animal whose soft tissues and organs have been preserved by either intentional or accidental exposure to chemicals, extreme cold, very low humidity, or lack of air, so that the recovered body does not decay fu ...
of a woman aged about 23, whose identity is unknown. She was probably the owner of the pyramid, but it is also possible that she is an intrusive burial from a later period, since the remains of the mummy show traces of the removal of the brains, a mummification practice which is only attested from the beginning of the Middle Kingdom. An accurate dating of the mummy by Radiocarbon dating is not yet available. The name of the tomb's occupant is not attested.Miroslav Verner
Miroslav Verner (born October 31, 1941 in Brno) is a Czech egyptologist, who specializes in the history and archaeology of Ancient Egypt of the Old Kingdom and especially of the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt.
Biography
Verner was the director of th ...
: ''Die Pyramiden'', pp.355 ff ''Die Pyramide «Lepsius Nr. XXIV»''
In addition, the area of the burial chamber contains fragments of grave goods, like alabaster
Alabaster is a mineral or rock that is soft, often used for carving, and is processed for plaster powder. Archaeologists and the stone processing industry use the word differently from geologists. The former use it in a wider sense that include ...
vessels, copper tools for the opening of the mouth ceremony
The opening of the mouth ceremony (or ritual) was an ancient Egyptian ritual described in funerary texts such as the Pyramid Texts.
''PeseshKaf'' is an instrument used for this ritual, ''psš'' (“an instrument for Opening of the mouth”) + '' ...
and canopic jar
Canopus (, ; grc-gre, Κάνωπος, ), also known as Canobus ( grc-gre, Κάνωβος, ), was an ancient Egyptian coastal town, located in the Nile Delta. Its site is in the eastern outskirts of modern-day Alexandria, around from the cent ...
s.
Complex
In the pyramid complex ruins, a small cult pyramid and a funerary temple can be identified. The whole complex was surrounded by a wall.
Cult pyramid
In the south corner of the complex is a small cult pyramid with a base of about 10 x 10 metres, which has largely been destroyed by extensive spolia
''Spolia'' (Latin: 'spoils') is repurposed building stone for new construction or decorative sculpture reused in new monuments. It is the result of an ancient and widespread practice whereby stone that has been quarried, cut and used in a built ...
tion. Only some fine limestone cladding from the northwest corner and the west side remain intact. The orientation of these structures differs a little from the north–south orientation of the main structure.
Mortuary temple
The mortuary temple is located in the usual position on the east side of the pyramid and seems to have had a simple structure. Except for a false door on the side facing the pyramid, it seems unlikely that the temple was decorated with relief
Relief is a sculptural method in which the sculpted pieces are bonded to a solid background of the same material. The term '' relief'' is from the Latin verb ''relevo'', to raise. To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that th ...
s, since no fragments of relief were found at all.
The structure was largely destroyed by spoliation in the New Kingdom and the Saite Period
The Twenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt (notated Dynasty XXVI, alternatively 26th Dynasty or Dynasty 26) dynasty was the last native dynasty to rule Egypt before the Persian conquest in 525 BC (although others followed). The dynasty's reign (664–525 ...
, especially on the south side, and as a result a reconstruction is no longer possible.
See also
* List of Egyptian pyramids
This list presents the vital statistics of the pyramids listed in chronological order, when available.
See also
* Egyptian pyramids
* Great Sphinx of Giza
* Lepsius list of pyramids
* List of Egyptian pyramidia
* List of the oldest building ...
References
Bibliography
* Miroslav Verner
Miroslav Verner (born October 31, 1941 in Brno) is a Czech egyptologist, who specializes in the history and archaeology of Ancient Egypt of the Old Kingdom and especially of the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt.
Biography
Verner was the director of th ...
: ''Die Pyramiden.'' Rowohlt, Hamburg 1998, , pp. 355 ff.: ''Die Pyramide «Lepsius Nr. XXIV».''
External links
* Czech Institute of Egyptology
Pyramid "Lepsius no. XXIV"
* ttp://egyptphoto.ncf.ca/Lepsius%20XXIV.htm Egyptphoto website with some photo of the pyramid.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lepsius-24-Pyramide
Buildings and structures completed in the 24th century BC
Pyramids of the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt
Buildings and structures in Giza Governorate
Abusir
3rd-millennium BC establishments in Egypt
1840s archaeological discoveries