Pyramid of Neferirkare Kakai
| Pyramid of Neferirkare | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Neferirkare Kakai | |
| Coordinates | 29°53′42″N 31°12′09″E / 29.89500°N 31.20250°ECoordinates: 29°53′42″N 31°12′09″E / 29.89500°N 31.20250°E |
| Type |
Step pyramid (originally) True Pyramid (converted into one) |
| Height | 72.8 metres (239 ft)(Original) |
| Base | 105 metres (344 ft)(Original) |
| Slope | 54°30' |
Step pyramid (originally)
The Pyramid of Neferirkare (also known as The Ba of Neferirkare) is the second pyramid to be built at the necropolis site of Abusir, south of the Giza plateau, in Egypt. The pyramid of Neferirkare is the tallest of all pyramids constructed in Ancient Egypt during its Fifth Dynasty.
The Pyramid of Neferirkare was built between 2477 BCE and 2467 BCE for the pharaoh Neferirkare Kakai who was the third king of the Fifth Dynasty. The pyramid, in a deviance from tradition, was not finished before the pharaoh’s untimely death. Despite such a setback, the pyramid still yields a plethora of information concerning this dynasty of kings.
Although incomplete at the time of pharaoh Neferirkare Kakai's death, the pyramid nevertheless reached a height of 72.8 metres (239 ft) in its original state, and even now stands some 50 metres high, despite significant deterioration in its external structure.
The Pyramid of Neferirkare is situated at the necropolis of the site Abusir, located to the south of Egypt’s Giza plateau. The pyramids in this site hold the tombs of kings from Old Kingdom Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty (c. 2494-2345 BC) and are sometimes referred to as the “Forgotten Pyramids” because great portions of the monuments were vandalized and stolen during the Roman Period. The Pyramid of Neferirkare lies in the center of the Abusir site and to the north of this pyramid are the principal royal mortuary monuments of 5th dynasty pharaohs Sahure and Neuserra and to the south lies the monument to Neferefre. The Abusir necropolis was chosen specifically as the site for the Pyramid of Neferirkare in large part because of its proximity to one of the most prominent Ancient Egyptian cities, Memphis. The Abusir necropolis was located less than four kilometers from the center of the assumed location of ancient Memphis during the Old Kingdom. This close distance to Memphis meant better access to necessary resources and manpower.
The Pyramid of Neferirkare is estimated to be one of fourteen constructed pyramids located in funerary site at Abusir. Standing roughly 70 meters tall and 106 meters wide, the Pyramid of Neferirkare is the largest at the site. Originally, Neferirkare’s pyramid utilized the step pyramid style which was inconsistent with the construction style of the fourth and fifth dynasties. Eventually, the pyramid’s limestone steps were filled in with granite stone to make it appear like the Pyramids of Giza, which were smooth on all sides. However, neither the original step pyramid nor the granite fillings of the pyramid were completed during Neferirkare’s lifetime. Much of the main aspects of the pyramid stand due to Neferirkare’s son, Neuserre, who completed the pyramid and linked it with his own. “Neferirkare’s Valley Temple” contains two distinct entrances lined by numerous columns which both lead into four separate rooms. Consisting of limestone, “an unusual feature”- dado of black basalt, and colored reliefs Neferirkare’s pyramid. Another aspect of the pyramid was “The Mortuary Temple” with “five niches, the storerooms, the anterooms, and the sanctuary." This particular feature attests to the Egyptian belief in the soul requiring sustenance even after death to maintain a good afterlife especially for the pharaohs.
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Wikipedia