English
Pyramid of king Userkaf
Builder: King Userkaf
Constructed: 2465-2458 BC
Height: 49 meters
Location: Saqqara
King Userkaf founder of the 5th dynasty had a short reign (under 10 years), he did not just returned to Saqqara complex, but he also chose a location that is extremely near to the step pyramid of king DJoser. Userkaf’s pyramid is located to the northeast of the step pyramid, while king Unas, the last king of the 5th dynasty, built his pyramid at the opposite southwest corner.
King Userkaf’s pyramid was built as a true smooth-sided pyramid, and it was very small in size. Originally the pyramid was encased in high quality limestone, but through time, the outer casing wore off, leaving a large heap of rubble due to the very low quality of the core masonry.
The design of the pyramid interior is very simple, all the corridors, ante chambers and the main chamber were built below ground level; and it is thought that the rooms and the chambers were built before the construction of the pyramid itself was begun.
A corridor descended to the construction trench, which was eight meters below ground level. From there a horizontal passage ran for eighteen meters, partially cased with granite and plugged with huge granite blocks. Right at the center of the horizontal passage was a huge slab and beyond it opened a T-shaped magazine. The passage ran to an antechamber exactly on the structure’s vertical axis. From here another short passage led to the main burial chamber.
