A Visit to the Newly Discovered Pyramid at Saqqara

View of the top of the pyramid (click on the picture to enlarge)

(Tour to Egypt 13th-23rd February 2009 as arranged by Cecelia & Lindy of Egypt & Beyond CC. The visit was made possible by kind permission of Dr Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities in Egypt.)

The morning of our first day in Cairo (14th Feb.) was spent on the Giza plateau, viewing the incredible Giza pyramids and the sphinx; after this experience, we travelled a short distance out of Cairo to the ancient necropolis of Saqqara to see the equally incredible first pyramid ever built in Ancient Egypt - called the Step pyramid. It is, as its name implies, a stepped structure consisting of six 'steps'.

After spending some time at the Step pyramid complex, we left to view the remains of a recently discovered pyramid just a short distance to the east of the complex.

Samir Ramadan with group members Desiree Johnson and Jean Smith

The pyramid is just one of a series of new finds in this particular area; all finds are the result of work done by all-Egyptian teams led by Dr Hawass.

View from above showing shaft and dry stone wall.

It's believed to have belonged to a queen connected to a Pharaoh named Teti - who lived about 4300 years ago at the beginning of Egypt's 6th dynasty (ca.2345-2323BCE) - the pyramid itself is part of the funerary complex of Pharaoh Teti, whose much larger but ruined pyramid stands nearby.

This new pyramid is not a pyramid in the mould of the great pyramids of Giza; rather it's a small satellite pyramid of the kind in which Pharaoh's wives or mothers were buried in Egypt's Old Kingdom (ca.2686-2160BCE) and Middle Kingdom (ca.2055-1650BCE) especially. The remains of the pyramid indicate that it was 22m square, but its height today is only just 5m; however as the angle has been calculated at 51deg its possible to calculate its original height at 14m. It is the 118th pyramid found in Egypt to date. 

The stepped structure of the pyramid.

Waiting to welcome us was archaeologist Samir Ramadan who explained some of the work they are currently engaged in at this site. At first glance it's difficult to see a pyramid at all but that's because it's all below the present ground level - so what one sees is just the top of a structure, some loose stones with a shaft visible at one corner, this appears to be partially surrounded by a dry stone wall. The shaft apparently goes through the pyramid and into the burial chamber which is why archaeologists didn't expect to find anything in the chamber. I was thrilled when we were invited to walk down the slope into the excavation site itself! I was determined to look at everything and made mental notes of what I was seeing!

The lower course.

The first thing I noticed were large blocks of stone that comprised what I'm sure must be the remains of a great wall that once surrounded the structure - most of the blocks were about 1m long and rectangular in shape; they'd been meticulously cut and placed in position but sadly only the lower 3 courses are still in situ. Along the top, I noticed a few loose blocks that I would imagine were found close by and placed in position by the team.

The lowest level.

Down here, I was able to see that the structure I'd viewed from the top was indeed the remains of the pyramid! I was interested to note that the pyramid core was a stepped structure because small 'steps' are quite clearly visible, especially from one side. At the time it was constructed, the 'steps' would have been enclosed in fine white Tura limestone of which nothing remains today except a small part of the lowest course at the base of the pyramid. I was quite surprised at just how many stones they used per course - the remaining course was 3 stone blocks deep - but what struck me about the limestone was the colour; although still a bit dirty, I could see that it was pure white and there was a slight 'sparkle' about it as if it contained hundreds of shiny particles- this must have been the finest quality available and fit for a queens' pyramid!

View of 'door' from lowest part of excavation.

Near these limestone blocks there were some steps partially covered in sand that led down to an even lower level. As I have slipped on sand covered steps before (Tuna al-Gebel), I thought it safer to slide down to the lower level on my behind! Down here and below a massive retaining wall were blocks of what I think were red granite - it was difficult to decide what they were for. Also on the lower level, I could see what I thought could be the remains of a false door but it seems its purpose is not known for sure. There are many broken blocks down here that lie about in a jumble making it difficult to guess at their purpose or position in the structure - nevertheless it was an immensely satisfying exercise just being down here amongst them.

As it was getting late we had to return to the topmost level and leave this special place which I did with a deep feeling of regret. So many questions still to be asked! As we drove away I tried to imagine what it must have looked like when all the pyramids in this complex were newly built - the small queens' pyramids alongside that of the Pharaoh Teti, their white limestone blocks gleaming and bright under the hot Egyptian sun. It and other surrounding similarly clad pyramids would have been visible for many kilometres - what an incredible sight it must have been!

I'm sure I speak for the entire group when I say that it was a great privilege being able to visit this new site - thanks to Cecelia, Lindy and Dr Hawass.

To find out how you can visit this fascinating site, please contact Cecelia or Lindy on +27 11 678 4777 or +27 11 478 2884 or email us on: info@egyptandbeyond.co.za.

Previous Articles in this series...

The Temple of Horus at Edfu
The Graeco-Roman Temple at Kom Ombo
The Temple of Isis at Philae
The 5th Dynasty Pyramid of King Unas
The Temples at Abu Simbel
The Tomb of Niakh-khnum and Khnum-hotep
Sekhmet - The Powerful One
The Step Pyramid at Saqqara
Hatshepsut –The Queen Who Would Be King
The Tomb of Tutankhamen in the Valley of the Kings
The Mortuary Temple of Rameses II – The Rameseum
The Temples
The Tombs of the Nobles
The Worker's Village at Deir el Medina
The Ptolemaic Temple at Deir el Medina
The Valley of the Kings

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