Overview:

Unas Pyramid is a pyramid complex located in Saqqara in Egypt. It was built in the 23rd century BC for Pharaoh Unas, the ninth and final king of the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt. Unas Pyramid is one of the best-preserved pyramids from the Old Kingdom and the only one to contain the Pyramid Texts – the earliest known examples of Pyramid literature. The pyramid, which is situated in the kilometer long necropolis, is now mostly ruined, but still stands today as one of the major archaeological sites in Egypt. It is one of the most beautiful monuments in Egypt
Prominent Features:

1. The Pyramid of Unas is the smallest and oldest of all the pyramids in Saqqara, Egypt, which dates back to the 5th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, 2375–2345 BCE. 2. Its pyramidion (the pyramid’s pointed top) is preserved in the Cairo Museum. 3. Measuring approximately 54 meters in height, the building was made of limestone blocks and was decorated with reliefs of religious texts. 4. Most notably, these texts contain a full version of the Pyramid Text, an ancient Egyptian funerary text that has survived better in Unas’s pyramid than in any other tomb. 5. A large transverse hall, known as the Eastern Chamber, can be found at the entrance of the pyramid. 6. There are seven staircases that lead down to the Relief Chamber and two small chapels at the north and east sides. 7. The main burial chamber is located beneath the pyramid complex and is the burial place of Unas. 8. The pyramid complex also notably featured a courtyard with a type of gate, known as a ‘venus’ gateway, the first of its kind for a pyramid complex. 9. Visually, the Pyramid of Unas is a unique tourist attraction in Egypt and is a great example of ancient Egyptian architecture. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Egypt.

History:

The Pyramid of Unas is the last pyramid built by the ancient Egyptians before the Pharaonic period ended. It is located in Saqqara, an ancient burial ground to the south of Cairo in Egypt. The pyramid is the first known pyramid to have Pyramid Texts, which are a collection of ancient Egyptian religious texts. The Pyramid of Unas was constructed during the 24th Century BC and is believed to have been completed around 2375 BC. It was built for the fifth Pharaoh of the Fifth Dynasty, Unas, who also had a mortuary temple built for himself on the east side. The pyramid is around 43 m in height and a base length of 70.5 m. Originally the pyramid was covered with a thick layer of white limestone and was protected by 24 shafts all around it. The pyramid was built to provide Unas with protection in the afterlife. It is believed to have been protected by divine guardians such as a sphinx or the jackal god, Anubis. Inside the pyramid, Unas was placed in four separate chambers. The outermost part of the pyramid is known as the “Serdab”. Here, statues of the Pharaoh Unas were placed to be worshipped. In recent years, excavations at the pyramid have revealed a great amount of information about the beliefs and history of the ancient Egyptians. Alongside the Pyramid Texts, it is believed that Unas’ pyramid contains several sources of hieroglyphic writings that shed light on the religious, political and cultural beliefs of the time. It is believed that the Pyramid of Unas was the first pyramid to have Pyramid Texts, which contained the ancient Egyptian’s beliefs about afterlife. To this day, the Pyramid of Unas is still standing and continues to be a source of fascination for archaeologists and history lovers alike. Visit one of the famous monuments of Egypt with your friends and family.

Interesting facts:

1. Unas Pyramid in Saqqara is the oldest known pyramid in Egypt, dating back to 2370 BC. 2. It is the only remaining pyramid complex from the 5th Dynasty. 3. It was the first pyramid to have religious texts inscribed on the inside of the burial chamber walls. 4. The pyramid was originally 101 feet (30.8m) tall, although it is now only about 66 feet (20.2m). 5. It was built for the Pharaoh Unas, the 9th king of the 5th Dynasty of Egypt. 6. The pyramid is the only pyramid in Egypt that still has a substantial portion of the original limestone casing intact. 7. The walls of the underground burial chamber and the descending entrance passageway contain the Pyramid Texts, a collection of spells and incantations that were meant to protect the Pharaoh in the afterlife. 8. The location of the pyramid was lost for centuries until it was rediscovered in the 1800s by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette. One of the historical monuments of Egypt, it tells the story of a bygone era