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Northern Saqqara - The Pyramids of Teti and Queens
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Just just northeast of the pyramid of Userkaf lies the pyramid of Teti, in which the Pyramid Texts covers the walls. Around it, there are several mastabas for his highest officials.
Teti was the first king of the 6th Dynasty. His queen Iput was probably daughter to Unas and mother to Pepi I. In the vicinity, there are mastabas for high officials who served under both Teti and Unas, one of them being the vizier Mereruka, who was married to the Kingīs eldest daughter. In time, Mereruka became the high priest of Tetiīs mortuary cult. His pyramid is located just northeast of the pyramid of Userkaf and south of the 1st Dynasty tombs and mastabas. Both a valley temple and a causeway is missing, which is puzzling. The structure is the same as in most of the late 5th dynasty pyramids and the measures are almost identical with the pyramid of Djedkare Isesi and the following three rulers. It was built in steps, today some blocks of the outer casing is still to be seen on the east side, but the whole pyramid is just a mound, being robbed for material in ancient times. The entrance is on the centre axis, with a chapel built over it. Inside, a sloping passage with steps, here follows a chamber with a horizontal passage in which there are three portculli. The antechamber is placed under the center of the structure and the burial chamber lies to the west while there is a room with three niches to the east. In the burial chamber, is a well preserved basalt sarcophagus, with parts of the Pyramid Texts carved in a band around it. This is the first sarcophagus found with decorations. Its lid had been broken by robbers and only few remains of the mummy was found. Also on the walls on both the burial chamber, the antechamber and parts of the passage are the Pyramid Texts, but in far worse condition than the ones at the Unas pyramid. The Mortuary Temple There was the usual satellite pyramid in the standard location, south of the mortuary temple. Itīs court had two libation basins made of red quartzite on the east side. A third one was located to the west, made of limestone and a fourth one was placed to the north. The Pyramid of Iput Iputīs sarcophagus held remains of a cedar coffin. There was the sceleton of a woman in middle age and five canopic jars, a necklace, bracelets and a headrest. There was also among the rests of models of copper toolstools covered with gold leaf and vessels of alabaster, a small table with names of different sacred oils. There was a small moprtuary temple on the eastern side. It had a chapel, a court and a chamber with three niches. There was also an altar with the inscription of Iput being the mother of Pepi I in the western wall of the offering room. Here was also a false door of limestone. The Pyramid of Khuit (Kawit) |
Palace of the Empress of the Known Universe
~ Table of Contents ~
Early Claim
Thessalonike The Tragic Queen Icelandic History The Althingi Byzantium before Constantine: The Greco-Roman City, 658 BCE - 330 CE Odin's lament A FATEFUL CHARIOT RACE: The STORY of PELOPS and OENOMAUS The Thanatos from Ephesus The Step Pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara The Unas Pyramid and Surroundings. Mastabas in the Vicinity of Unas Pyramid Niankhkhnum and Khnumhotep - Royal Manicurists and Prophets of Re. Horemheb and His Contemporaries Pepi I and His Consorts Pepi II - an Unusually Long Reign The Last Royal Tombs of the Old Kingdom Northern Saqqara - The Mastaba of Kagemni Benu of Iunu - The Prototype Phoenix The Ennead of Iunu I: Where Gods Were Born The Ennead of Iunu II: The Foundation for Religious Life History of Devon Northern Saqqara III: The Tomb of Ankhmahor Northern Saqqara IV: The Tomb of Akhethotep & Ptahotep Northern Saqqara V: The Mastaba of Ti Northern Saqqara VI: Early Dynastic & 3rd Dynastic Tombs Northern Saqqara VII: The Serapeum Northern Saqqara VII: Other Animal Burials Styles of Houses in Ancient Egypt I Lady of Philae, Lady of Abaton Styles of House in Ancient Egypt II Styles of Houses in Ancient Egypt III Aset in Festival Calendar of Festivals of Aset |