Thursday, July 3, 2014
Sunday, June 15, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Monday, June 9, 2014
Pyramid and Mortuary
Temple of Teti
Teti
was the first king of Dynasty VI and is the owner of the most northerly of the
Saqqara pyramids, situated to the north-east of the Step Pyramid complex.
Teti’s pyramid is currently the only one open to visitors at Saqqara. Its
subterranean chambers contain walls inscribed with columns of hieroglyphs,
known as the Pyramid Texts and there is also an especially well-preserved
satellite pyramid which adjoins the mortuary temple.
The
Pyramid of Teti was investigated by Perring in 1839 but was first entered by
Maspero in 1882 during his quest for pyramid texts. It was excavated by James
Quibell in 1907-8 and during the latter part of the 20th century by
Jean-Philippe Lauer and Pierre Leclant and others.
The
pyramid complex was called ‘Teti’s (cult) places are enduring’ and follows the
plan of Dynasty V structures, similar to that of Teti’s predecessor Unas. The
King’s pyramid consisted of a core of five levels of masonry encased in small
locally-quarried limestone blocks, some of which are still in situ on the
eastern side. The original height of the pyramid is thought to have been over
50m and its length on each side is 78.5m. The structure today however, is
little more than a rounded hill of rubble, having suffered much robbing of its
stone in antiquity when the area was used as a quarry over the centuries.
The
entrance to the substructure was found on the pyramid’s northern side,
underneath a pavement in the northern entrance chapel, which had the usual
offering reliefs on its walls. A descending granite-lined passage leads to a
horizontal corridor which was originally blocked by three granite portcullis
slabs. The vestibule or antechamber, which like others of the period lies
directly under the centre of the pyramid and also like the others had vaulted
ceilings of huge limestone blocks which continued into the burial chamber.
There are doorways to the east and west of the antechamber. To the east is a
chamber with three niches or magazines (perhaps originally containing statues
of the pharaoh) and to the west is the entrance to the burial chamber.
រៀបរាងដោយ ភនភានិត្យ
