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

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