Ancient Egyptians - Pyramids at Abusir
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Egyptian Pyramids and Tombs

Pyramids at Abusir
Learn about the ancient pyramids of Egypt, and the tombs of the pharaohs, the fast and easy way via the Pyramids at Abusir Fact sheets. The following article describes the temples, tombs and step-pyramid monuments in the burial ground and a map showing the location of Abusir to the other major necropolis (burial grounds) of ancient Egypt.

Ancient Egypt - Pyramids at Abusir Fact Sheet

Fact 1 on Pyramids at Abusir: The 4th Dynasty of ancient Egyptian kings included Khufu aka Cheops who built the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The pyramid of Khafre and the pyramid of Menkaure were also built at the Giza Necropolis.

Fact 2 on Pyramids at Abusir: The above picture shows the pyramids of Abusir and sight of the great pyramids of Giza in the distance. The location of the necropolis is 35 km (21 miles) south of Cairo. The Pyramid of Sahure is the largest of the pyramids and dominates the site.

Fact 3 on Pyramids at Abusir: The Giza necropolis had become full and the the Sun Kings of the 5th Dynasty selected nearby Abusir as their burial ground. The new location was near to Giza and the capital of Egypt, Memphis.

Fact 4 on Pyramids at Abusir: A total of fourteen pyramids were constructed at this site, which also served as the main royal necropolis during this period. Only four of the original monuments are still standing. The three major monuments are those of Niuserre (which is also the most intact), Neferirkare Kakai and King Sahure.

Fact 5 on Pyramids at Abusir: The architecture of the Abusir pyramids were similar to the earlier Step Pyramids, and the pyramid complex consisted of a mortuary temple and a causeway (raised roadway) leading to a Valley Temple.

Fact 6 on Pyramids at Abusir: There was a significant change in religion during the 5th dynasty.  The kings who had built the great monuments at Giza had come into conflict with the powerful priests of the sun god Ra. Greater emphasis was placed on building temples to the gods rather than monuments to the pharaohs.

Fact 7 on Pyramids at Abusir: The pyramid monuments to the Sun Kings were much smaller and less expensive to build that the great pyramids of Giza, but they were still impressive. The temples, however, were beautifully decorated.

Fact 8 on Pyramids at Abusir: The Pyramid of Sahure is just over 78 meters (255 feet) high, whereas the Great Pyramid soared to over 146 metres (480 feet).

Fact 9 on Pyramids at Abusir: The pyramids were constructed stone sourced from a local limestone quarry and the Tura quarry. The complex had a highly elaborate drainage system with a network of underground copper pipes.

Fact 10 on Pyramids at Abusir: The Internal chambers were accessed from the north side at a ground level  passageway lined with red-granite and protected from tomb robbers with a granite portcullis.

Fact 11 on Pyramids at Abusir: The royal necropolis also contained various tombs of the elite and the Sun Temples of the 5th Dynasty Kings located just to the north at Abu Ghorab.

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Ancient Egypt - Pyramids at Abusir Fact Sheet

Pyramids at Abusir
Discover fast, interesting fun facts about the pyramid funerary complex at Abusir for kids with some amazing, cool and quick information about ancient Egypt and Egyptians. Ideal for children, homework, schools, teachers and kids of all ages! Find fascinating fun facts about the pyramid funerary complex at Abusir for kids and the history, culture and civilisation of the ancient Egyptians and ancient Egypt. Interesting, fun facts about the pyramid funerary complex at Abusir for research, schools, students and kids of all ages.

Pyramids at Abusir
Learn about the ancient pyramids of Egypt, and the tombs of the pharaohs, the fast and easy way via the Pyramids at Abusir Fact sheet.

Ancient Egypt - Pyramids at Abusir Fact Sheet

Fact 11 on Pyramids at Abusir: The picture of the funerary or pyramid complex of Sahure provides an example of the basic layout that the ancient Egyptians used when designing a new monument to the pharaoh.

Fact 12 on Pyramids at Abusir: The funerary complex consisted of:

The Pyramidal monument
The cult or subsidiary pyramid
Mortuary Temple
The causeway (a raised roadway) that led to the Valley Temple

Fact 13 on Pyramids at Abusir: The purpose of the smaller cult, or subsidiary pyramid, is unclear. Theories relating to the purpose of these smaller structures include tombs for queens, the resting place for the king's Ka (protective spirit) and the location of rituals relating to the cult of the dead king and daily offerings made by the priests.

Fact 14 on Pyramids at Abusir: The mortuary temple adjoining the pyramid was a place of worship of the deceased pharaoh. Priests performed daily funerary rites and presented offerings to the dead king’s Ka.

Fact 15 on Pyramids at Abusir: The mortuary temple usually consisted of an entrance hall, an open, columned courtyard, alcoves for statues of the king,  storage chambers and an inner chapel.

Fact 16 on Pyramids at Abusir: The causeway was built as a processional roadway from the Valley Temple to the pyramid burial complex.

Fact 17 on Pyramids at Abusir: The 'Valley Temple' contained statues of the king and was a place of worship and the starting point of the funeral ceremonies and rituals.

Fact 18 on Pyramids at Abusir: The 'Valley Temple' led to the led to the River Nile, and in places such as Abusir, the river was accessed via a canal.

Fact 19 on Pyramids at Abusir: The pyramid complex was renowned throughout antiquity for its richly painted reliefs on the monuments, temples and the causeway. Over 10,000 sq. metres (107,640 sq. ft) of finely carved and painted reliefs decorated the pyramid complex at Abusir.

Ancient Egypt - Pyramids at Abusir Fact Sheet

Valley Temple of Sahure

Pyramids at Abusir - the Sun Kings of the 5th Dynasty
The following chart provides the names of the kings and the line of succession in the 5th Dynasty together with a map of ancient Egypt.

5th Dynasty

Name - Dates of Reign

King Userkaf - 2467–2458 BC

King Neferirkare Kakai - 2446–2426 BC

King Neferefre (aka Raneferef) - 2419–2416 BC

King Menkauhor - 2396–2388 BC

King Sahure (aka Unis & Weni) - 2356–2323 BC

Pyramids at Abusir
Learning about the ancient Egyptians and Pyramids at Abusir inspires everyone to visit historical sites and undertake Egypt Travel and Tours to experience the wonders of this magical land at first hand. Many people choose to experience a tour of Egypt on a Nile Cruise stopping at the famous destinations and sites of Egypt such as the Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx. The information and facts about Pyramids at Abusir will provide you with a great insight into Egypt and the legacy of the ancient Egyptians.

Pyramids at Abusir