Monuments and Sites of Ancient Egypt

- The Pyramid Complex of Pepi II -

  Saqqara Pyramid of Pepi II:   Pepi II
  Pyramid of Pepi II   Location and Structure    
        Mortuary Temple    
        Pyramid    
           
           


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The King's Pyramid
 
   

Despite Pepi II's extremely long reign of 94 years, with its 78.5 metres square and 52.5 metres high, his pyramid was a rather standard size.

This is more likely to have been caused by the Egyptian need to conformity and standardisation than to any economic or other motives.

The internal structure of the pyramid was standard as well. It was entered trough an entrance chapel located at its north side.

The entrance was located at ground-level and opened onto a passage that descends in the rock until it reaches a horizontal corridor chamber of 16 metres length.

From there a horizontal passage of 23 metres long, interrupted by 3 portcullis slabs, leads to the antechamber, that measures 3.69 by 3.15 metres. A passage in the west wall of the antechamber opens onto the burial chamber.
 

 

Map of Pepi II's complex, highlighting the pyramid.

3D view on the Pyramid
 

Cut-away of Pepi II's pyramid, showing not only the internal structure, but also the three Queen's pyramids of this complex.
Source: Lehner, Complete Pyramids, p. 161
 

 

The ceiling of the internal chambers were decorated by the traditional star-motif. The north and south walls of the burial chamber are formed by single limestone blocks. The black sarcophagus, made of dark granite, was inscribed with Pepi II's royal titulary. The walls around the sarcophagus were decorated with the standard reed-mat motif, but at the head and foot ends of the sarcophagus the decoration featured two false doors. The niche that once contained the king's canopic chest was found empty.