Abusir
Understand
Just one, relatively small segment of the extensive "pyramid field" that extends from north of Giza to below Saqqara, the locality of Abusir took its turn as the focus of the prestigious western burial rites operating out of the then-capital of Memphis as an elite cemetery (or necropolis) during the Old Kingdom 5th Dynasty. Neighbouring Giza had by then "filled up" with the massive pyramids and other monuments of the 4th Dynasty, leading the 5th Dynasty pharaohs to seek sites elsewhere for their own funerary monuments. Although two 5th Dynasty pharaohs (Unas and Userkaf) did build their pyramids further south at Saqqara, adjacent to the 3rd Dynasty Step Pyramid of Djoser, most of the Dynasty's rulers concentrated their efforts at Abusir (for their pyramids and associated funerary temples) and elsewhere (for their so-called "sun-temples").
Get in
Abusir is not served by any viable means of public transport, the site lying some distance from the village and the main road that leads south to Saqqara. The only practible means of visiting Abusir are by car, by hired taxi (perhaps in association with a visit to Saqqara or Giza) or as part of an organised tour group.
See
Pyramid of SahureThe northernmost pyramid at Abusir and located closest to the entrance to the site, the Pyramid of Sahure (pronounced "Sa-who-ray") - the second ruler of the 5th Dynasty - was also the first constructed at Abusir. Completing its profile as the most completely preserved pyramid at the locality, the Pyramid of Sahure once measured..... Numerous blocks carved in beautiful deep relief were revealed here when the French archaeologist Borchardt excavated between 1902-1908. On the eastern side of the pyramid, the attached mortuary temple is reasonably well-preserved, retaining numerous granite pillars and large blocks with Sahure's cartouche still clearly visible. It is possible to access the pyramid's interior: from the entrance, a 75 m long walk down a corridor leads to the burial chamber, entered by crawling through a narrow portal and 2 m long passage.
Pyramid of NiuserreEasily the most ruinous of the 'complete' pyramids at Abusir, the Pyramid of Niuserre originally measured ..... Niuserre was the son of pharaoh Neferirkare and usurped the causeway of his father's mortuary temple for his own monument - it can be seen to the south-east of the pyramid.
Pyramid of Neferirkare KakaiStanding 45 m now in a partially ruined state, the Pyramids of Neferirkare closely resembles the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, unintentionally, as the steps visible in its construction were designed to be filled in to achieve the classic pyramid shape. This task was never completed.
Pyramid of Raneferef
The pyramid of Queen Khentkaus IIQueen Khentkaus II, wife of Neferirkare and mother of Neferefre and Niuserre.
The unfinished pyramid of Shepseskaf?
Lepsius Pyramid no. 24— The pyramid belonged to a woman, likely a queen. The name of the vizier Ptahshepses appears among builders' marks, which dates the pyramid to the time of Pharaoh Nyuserre.
Lepsius Pyramid no. 25Likely the pyramid of a queen from the Fifth dynasty
Mastaba of PtahshepsesPtahshepses, vizier under Nyuserre.
Mastaba of Prince NakhtkarePrince Nakhtkare, son of Raneferef or Nyuserre.
Sun Temple of Userkaf
Sun Temple of Niuserre
Sleep
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phone: +20 109 444 0109address: Abu SirOpened in 2016, basic but comfortable guesthouse/hotel with clean rooms near the pyramids of Abu Sir (1 km) and Saqqara (5 km).