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SAQQARA
Pyramid of Pepi 1
Burial chambers exposed after that the Pyramid of Pepi 1 has either collapsed, or been robbed by local house builders.
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Pepi 1 was a pharaoh of the 6th Dynasty and ruled for 35 years, from 2321 until 2287 BCE. For more information check the the Encyclopaedia: Pepi 1.
Generally labelled as one of the uniteresting pyramids around South Saqqara, the one of Pepi 1 is actually one of the most interesting. The summit has fallen in, or perhaps the stones have been removed by locals who needed building material for their houses. But the result is not without effect, you get to see directly into the central chambers, it is almost like a cut-through illustrational image.
Some of the original casing still stands, and much of the immediately surrounding complex is well excavated. On the eastern side, you will see how the funerary complex merges with the pyramid itself. To the south of this lies a beautiful queen's pyramid, one of the finest in all of Egypt.
Below the pyramid is an impressive mastaba and tomb complex, and seen from up with the pyramid it looks more authentic and complete than most you will ever see in Egypt. Here notables and officials had themselves buried, near the sacred ground of the king.
The entire complex of Pepi was named Mennefer, and it is from this the capital Memphis got its name.
The funerary complex of the Pyramid of Pepi 1 is among the finest, perhaps the finest of any pyramid in Egypt. Next to the southeastern corner lies a satellite pyramid.
Perhaps the reconstruction has been too obvious, yet the noble graves south of the Pyramid of Pepi 1 are among the most descriptive for any pyramid.
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