Headless Pyramid
The Headless Pyramid, otherwise identified as Lepsius XXIX, is the remain of a pyramid complex built in Saqqara. The identity of the pyramid owner is unclear, though it is suspected to belong to either pharaoh Menkauhor of the Fifth Dynasty or pharaoh Merikare of the Tenth Dynasty, both of whom are known to have built a pyramid. If associated with Menkauhor, the pyramid's name is Nṯr-ỉswt Mn-kꜣw-ḥr meaning 'Divine are the places of Menkauhor'; if associated with Merikare, the pyramid's name is Wꜣḏ-swt Mry-kꜣ-rꜥ meaning 'Fresh are the places of Merikare'. Other candidates for the pyramid owner that have been proposed are Amenemhat I of the Twelfth Dynasty and an ephemeral pharaoh Ity of the Eighth Dynasty.
| Headless Pyramid | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Menkauhor (probably)Merikare (possibly) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 29°52′31″N 31°13′25″E | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ancient name | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Constructed | Fifth Dynasty (probably)Tenth Dynasty (possibly) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Type | True (now ruined) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Material | Limestone | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Base | ~ 52 m (171 ft; 99 cu) ~ 60 m (200 ft; 110 cu) ~ 65 m (213 ft; 124 cu) by 68 m (223 ft; 130 cu) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Location within Lower Egypt | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The pyramid complex is in very poor condition. Only the main pyramid, its substructure, and the mortuary temple can be definitively identified. Trace elements of a cult pyramid and a causeway exist, however, there is no sign of an extant valley temple. The base of the pyramid superstructure has been measured by various Egyptologists as being 52 m (171 ft; 99 cu), 60 m (200 ft; 110 cu), or 65 m (213 ft; 124 cu) by 68 m (223 ft; 130 cu) long. Its substructure was thoroughly investigated between 2005 and 2008 by a team of archaeologists led by Zahi Hawass. Their findings included lowered portcullis gates indicating a burial had taken place, a sarcophagus lid built of schist, and holes cut into the burial chamber floor presumed to have held canopic jars.