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AbuSir & Abu Gorab: Pyramids Page

Abusir & Abu Gorab- The Places

The 5th Dynasty is characterised by their somewhat smaller Necropoli (compared to their 4th Dynasty counterparts) at Abusir and Abu Gorab as well as Saqqara. These often-included Sun or Solar Temples which appear to have been new additions to the earlier Mortuary Complexes. The exciting news is that there are potentially 6 Solar Temples on the site at Abu Gorab, but only 2 have been discovered so far!

There was a change in the way that the Royals adorned and believed that their Tombs needed to record the information they may need for their soul to reach the Afterlife. These were known as the Pyramid Texts, written in old Egyptian, it is the oldest religious work in Egypt and was reserved for use only by the Pharaoh and his Queen.

They were devoid of illustrations but contain one of the oldest mentions of God Osiris. The Pyramid Texts were carved into Subterranean Walls and Sarcophagi of the Pyramid at Saqqara from the end of the 5th Dynasty, throughout the 6th Dynasty and into the 7th and 8th Dynasties.

Externally, from artefacts which name the Pharaohs of this period, archaeologists know that Egypt had connections in Syria, Nubia, Anatolia, Sinai, Punt, and more mainland Africa. Internally, high officials tended now to be employed for their mental or physical attributes rather than for their genetic closeness to the Royal Family. This was echoed in how the Tombs of the Nobles no longer continued to be gathered around the mortuary complexes but rather more independently.

Pyramid of Pharaoh Sahure

Pharaoh Sahure was the 2nd Pharaoh of the 5th Dynasty. He built a Step Pyramid which is now known for its beautiful carved Reliefs

Pyramid of Pharaoh Neferirkare

3rd Pharaoh of the 5th Dynasty, Pharaoh Neferirkare this was the second pyramid built in this area and is the tallest. The Pyramid was converted from a Step to a True Pyramid. When Pharaoh died unexpectedly early, his Pyramid had reached a height of over 72m, though today only 50m remains

Pyramid of Pharaoh Nyuserre

His Pyramid was created in the Step design and remains the most intact Pyramid that is on the site today. Pharaoh Nyuserre was the 6th Ruler of the 5th Dynasty

Pyramid of Pharaoh Neferefre

Pharaoh Neferefre began his Pyramid Complex in the 5th Dynasty, but his Pyramid was destined to remain unfinished. His Pyramid is the 3rd and last Pyramid which was erected on the “Abusir Diagonal”. A line which connects the Abusir Pyramids with the city of Heliopolis

The Unfinished Pyramid of Shepseskare

Pharaoh Shepseskare was either the 4th or the 5th Pharaoh of the 5th Dynasty. He may have only ruled for a matter of months which would explain why his Pyramid was unfinished

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