Pyramid of Merenre

Pyramid of Merenre
Pyramid of Merenre, Saqqara.
Pyramid of Merenre, Saqqara.
Merenre Nemtyemsaf I, 6th Dynasty
Coordinates29°51′02″N 31°12′54″E / 29.85055556°N 31.215°E / 29.85055556; 31.215
Ancient name
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ramrr
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[1]
Khanefermerenre
Ḫˁj-nfr-Mrj-n-rˁw
The perfection of Merenre appears [2]
Constructedc. 2490 BC
TypeTrue (now ruined)
MaterialLimestone
Height52.6 metres (173 ft)
Base78.6 metres (258 ft)
Slope52°
Diagram of the pyramid.

The pyramid of Pharaoh Merenre was constructed for Merenre Nemtyemsaf I during the Sixth Dynasty of Egypt at Saqqara 450 metres (1,480 ft) to the south-west of the pyramid of Pepi I and a similar distance to the pyramid of Djedkare.[3] Its ancient name was "Merenre's beauty shines" or perhaps "The Perfection of Merenre Appears".[4] Today it consists mostly of ruins;[5] it is hard to get to and is not open to the public.[6]

The pyramid was built 52.5 metres (172 ft 3 in) in height, 78.75 metres (258 ft 4 in) in base length with an inclination of 53°07'48".[3] The causeway is 250 metres (820 ft) long and the complex was surrounded by a wall of mud brick.[5]

Only traces of the mortuary temple have been found and the evidence indicates that construction was halted abruptly at one point and never resumed, probably upon the pharaoh's death.[3]

The entrance to the burial chambers is on the north face which descends to a vestibule where another shaft leads to the antechamber. To the right of the antechamber is the burial chamber; to the left is another small room, a serdab. In the burial chamber a sarcophagus decorated with polychrome reliefs stood against the wall; when found, it was in good condition although it had been plundered.[6] The ceiling of the burial chamber had an astrological theme and was covered with stars.[5]

  1. ^ Karl Richard Lepsius: Denkmaler Abtheilung II Band IV Available online see p. 114 g.
  2. ^ R. Stadelmann: Die ägyptischen Pyramiden. Vom Ziegelbau zum Weltwunder.
  3. ^ a b c Kinnaer, Jacques. "The Pyramid of Merenre I". Accessed September 20, 2008.
  4. ^ "The Pyramid of Merenre". Accessed September 20, 2008.
  5. ^ a b c Winston, Alan. "The Pyramid of Merenre at South Saqqara in Egypt". Accessed September 20, 2008.
  6. ^ a b "Pyramid of Merenre". Archived 2007-12-05 at the Wayback Machine Accessed September 20, 2008.