Abu Sir

The Pyramids of Abu Sir originally consisted of fourteen pyramids from the 5th Dynasty. Only four are still standing. Of the four, the first encountered as you come from the main Saqqara complex, is the Pyramid of Neferefre. This pyramid was never finished and is in very poor condition.

The pyramid for Neferikare is the next, to the north. It also is unfinished and is still the tallest of the group. It stands 68m high. To the northeast is the Pyramid of Niuserre, which is famous for its Funerary Temple.

The funerary temple was built for Neferikare, but was used for Niuserre because Neferikare died prematurely. Further to the northeast is the tomb of Ptah-Cepses. This tomb is not in good condition. The columns with lotus capitals are the oldest discovered. The last pyramid in this complex is the Pyramid of Sahure and it's Funerary Temple. These are not too badly damaged. A 240m ramp that connected the Valley Temple to this pyramid has been discovered during the excavation work in this complex. Some of the reliefs that were in the funerary temple have been removed and placed in museums. A few are still in the temple and are preserved quite well.

to the north. It also is unfinished and is still the tallest of the group. It stands 70 meters (230 feet) high and has a base length of 105 meters (350 feet). Even though this pyramid looks more like a hill, it is said to be the best preserved in Abu Sir, and was the second pyramid built here. Neferirkare was the brother of Sahure and Shepseskare, who respectively, ruled before and after him.

To the northeast is the Pyramid of Niuserre, which is famous for its Funerary Temple. This pyramid was originally named "The Sites of Niuserre Persist". It measures 52 meters (173 feet) tall, with a base of 81 meters (270 feet). Niusserre took the causeway and the valley temple of the neighboring pyramid of Neferikare and used it as part of his own.

Further to the northeast is the tomb of Ptah-Cepses. This tomb is not in good condition. The columns with lotus capitals are the oldest discovered.

The last pyramid in this complex is the Pyramid of Sahure and it's Funerary Temple. The original name of the pyramid was "The Ba of Sahure Appears". It was originally 48 meters (160 feet) tall with a base 78.5 meter (262 feet). Originally the entrance led to a short descending passageway which was lined with red granite. This continued with a small ascending passageway which led to the main burial chamber. The burial chamber has a gabled roof which consists of several tiers of limestone layers. This was a magnificent structure and its basic plan could serve as a typical example of Egyptian royal funerary architecture of the 5th Dynasty. Only a small fragments of a sarcophagus was found when the badly damaged burial chamber was entered in the early 19th century. The pyramid is basically ruined, though the valley temple is not too badly damaged. A 240 meter ramp that connected the Valley Temple to this pyramid has been discovered during the excavation work in this complex. Some of the reliefs that were in the funerary temple have been removed and placed in museums. A few are still in the temple and are preserved quite well.