LoginPyramid of Neferirkare
The Pyramid of Neferirkare (in ancient Egyptian the Ba of Neferirkare) was built for the Fifth Dynasty pharaoh Neferirkare Kakai – referred to as Neferirkare – in the 25th century BC. It was the tallest structure located on the highest site at the necropolis site of Abusir – found between Giza and Saqqara – and still towers over the necropolis today. The pyramid is also significant because its evacuation 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). This was then encased in a second step pyramid with alterations intended to convert it into a true pyramid; 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 of the basic elements of a pyramid complex: a valley temple, a causeway, and a cult pyramid. Instead, whereas cult priests would normally have lived in a pyramid town near to the valley temple, these elements were replaced with a small settlement of mudbrick houses south of the monument, from which the priests could conduct daily activities. The discovery of the Abusir papyri in the 1890s is owed to these conditions. Under normal circumstances, the papyrus archives would have been contained in the pyramid town and 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 of the monument. Though their construction began under different rulers, all four of these monuments were completed during the reign of Nyuserre.
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). This was then encased in a second step pyramid with alterations intended to convert it into a true pyramid; 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 of the basic elements of a pyramid complex: a valley temple, a causeway, and a cult pyramid. Instead, whereas cult priests would normally have lived in a pyramid town near to the valley temple, these elements were replaced with a small settlement of mudbrick houses south of the monument, from which the priests could conduct daily activities. The discovery of the Abusir papyri in the 1890s is owed to these conditions. Under normal circumstances, the papyrus archives would have been contained in the pyramid town and 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 of the monument. Though their construction began under different rulers, all four of these monuments were completed during the reign of Nyuserre.
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