Overview:

is an unfinished step pyramid built by Shepseskaf, a pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt. The pyramid originally stood at about 42m in height but due to its poor construction, the top portion of the pyramid collapsed. The pyramid was constructed from mud-brick and limestone, with a core built from limestone blocks. It is located at the Saqqara necropolis, south-west of the Pyramid of Unas. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

The Pyramid of Menkaure's son Shepseskaf is located at the ancient necropolis of Saqqara in Egypt. It was built in the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt during the reign of Pharaoh Menkaure (around 2510-2490 BC). The pyramid is believed to have been constructed for Mernkaure's son Shepseskaf, although there is no archaeological evidence to confirm this. The pyramid is considered to be one of the smaller ones built in the region, and it is located to the south of the pyramid of Djoser and the step pyramid of Sekhemkhet. The pyramid's structure is simple, consisting of five steps that lead up to the tomb chamber, surrounded by a courtyard. It was constructed of locally-available limestone and mudbrick. Some remnants of the white limestone casing still remain, which suggest that it may have been more ornate when first completed. The entrance to the tomb is through a long descending passage that leads to the burial chambers. Many of the walls and ceilings of the passages and chambers are still intact. Culturally, the Pyramid of Menkaure's son Shepseskaf is an important site due to the amount of religious symbolism and artwork decorating the walls and ceilings of the passageways and chambers. The symbolism reflects the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians regarding the afterlife and funerary cults. Inside the tomb, images of the sun god Ra, the god of the underworld Osiris, and a host of other gods and goddesses are carved on the walls. The Pyramid of Menkaure's son Shepseskaf is an important archaeological site and an excellent example of the architecture of the Old Kingdom. It is one of the best preserved pyramids in the region, and its symbolism and artwork make it a unique and culturally important site. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Pyramid of Menkaure’s son Shepseskaf at Saqqara (Egypt) is believed by some to be the oldest true pyramid in Egypt. It began as a step pyramid, and it is thought that the step design was inspired by Pharaoh Djoser's Step Pyramid at Saqqara, which is even older than Shepseskaf's pyramid. Construction of the pyramid of Shepseskaf began in the mid-Dynasty 4, probably around 2500 BC. Shepseskaf, like many of the pharaohs before him, sought to associate himself with the god Re, so the pyramid was built near another important pyramid complex, the Step Pyramid of Djoser’s complex. The pyramid is 110 feet (34 meters) square at the base and 67 feet (20 meters) high. It is composed of seven steps or tiers, all of which were made of limestone and mud-brick. The steps decrease in height, so that the top of the pyramid is cased in a single layer of limestone. The interior of the pyramid is divided into four chambers, three of which are are sub-leveled and linked by passageways. The pyramid of Shepseskaf is the only Fourth Dynasty pyramid that retains its original capstone. It is believed that the pyramid was originally limestone-cased like the Step Pyramid, but much of that casing has since eroded away. It is thought that the pyramid was never finished, and later tomb robbers may have looted its numerous chambers. The tomb of Shepseskaf was discovered in 1824 by Italian explorer Giovanni Battista Belzoni. When Belzoni opened the pyramid, he found a large red granite sarcophagus, but no mummy, and Min, the dwarf god of ships, which indicates this pyramid was likely a funerary monument for the pharaoh. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. The Pyramid of Menkaure’s son, Shepseskaf, at Saqqara, near Cairo, is the only fully-intact true pyramid built during the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt’s Old Kingdom. It is unusual for its flat top and small size in comparison with the other pyramids of the time. 2. Shepseskaf was Menkaure’s successor as pharaoh. He was also the first pharaoh to be buried in a fully-intact, true pyramid. 3. The Pyramid of Shepseskaf is 50.22 meters tall, making it much shorter than its counterparts at Saqqara. 4. The construction of the pyramid was made from limestone and sandstone and is thought to have taken approximately three years to complete. 5. The pyramid is believed to have been built between 2450 and 2400 BC, during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. 6. This pyramid is notable for having a flat-top. This flat roof was once suspected to have had a porch for outdoor rituals. 7. Inside the pyramid are two burial chambers, but they were both plundered in antiquity, meaning there is no record of who was buried there. 8. Upon its discovery in 1851, the Pyramid of Shepseskaf was partially submerged in sand and debris. It was excavated and restored in 1911. 9. Due to the small size of the pyramid and its lack of relieving chambers, it is thought that the structure was not intended to be a royal burial place. 10. There are no written records describing the pyramid or its purpose. Scholars can only speculate as to why it was built or who built it. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era