Abusir Necropolis

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Abusir
Location 29.54 N - 31.12 E
Lower Egypt - 5 kilometres north of Saqqara
West bank of Nile, bordering the Sahara Desert
Nome1st nome of Lower Egypt White fortress - the 1st nome of Lower Egypt
Type of SettlementRoyal necropolis of the Old Kingdom's 5th Dynasty
Local deityOsiris
Ancient nameEgyptian Per-Usir "The House of Osiris"
Historical Development Old Kingdom - The first Pharaoh to start building at Abusir was Userkaf, the founder of the 5th Dynasty, He built a unique sun temple.
  • The presence of Abusir Lake made the site easily accessible by boat
  • Monuments
  • There are seven 5th Dynasty pyramids at this site.
  • The quality of construction of the Abusir pyramids is inferior to those of the 4th Dynasty
  • Abusir was the origin of the largest find of Old Kingdom papyri — the Abusir Papyri.
  • The three major pyramids are those of Niuserre ,Neferirkare and Sahure.
  • The site is also home to the incomplete Pyramids of Neferefre and Shepseskare
  • All of the major pyramids at Abusir were built as step pyramids
  • The Pyramid of Neferirkare was built as a 6-step pyramid 52m high, and then later transformed into a "true" pyramid by having its steps filled in with loose masonry, and reached a height of 72m
  • The Abusir Papyri - the largest find of Old Kingdom's papyri to date
  • Page last updated: 15 Feb 2008
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