Attraction Details
Overview
Pyramid of Pepi II
The Pyramid of Pepi II stands in the southern section of Saqqara and is the last major Old Kingdom royal pyramid built in Egypt. Pepi II of the 6th Dynasty ruled for an extraordinarily long period — ancient sources record a reign of up to 94 years, though modern scholarship estimates it at around 64 years — and his pyramid complex reflects the architectural conventions established by earlier 6th Dynasty pharaohs, though on a slightly more modest scale.
The pyramid originally stood approximately 52 meters tall with a 78.75-meter base, built from a limestone core encased in fine white Tura limestone. Today the outer casing has largely collapsed and the structure appears as a rubble mound, though the internal chambers remain accessible. The interior contains a full set of Pyramid Texts — the religious spells first introduced in the pyramid of Unas — carved across the walls and ceiling of the antechamber, passage, and burial chamber in vertical rows of hieroglyphs painted blue-green.
The complex is unusually large for its dynasty, incorporating three small pyramids for Pepi II’s queens (Neith, Iput II, and Wedjebten), each with their own Pyramid Texts — the only queens’ pyramids known to contain this inscription type. The site sits in the less-visited southern Saqqara zone, removed from the main tourist area around the Step Pyramid.
History & Significance
Pepi II became pharaoh as a young child and his reign, however precisely dated, represents the twilight of the Old Kingdom. Ancient Egyptian sources preserved by the historian Manetho credited him with a 94-year reign, which, if accurate, would make it the longest reign of any monarch in recorded history. Whether this figure is precise or rounded, his reign was certainly the longest of the 6th Dynasty and may have contributed to the administrative fragmentation that followed.
The Old Kingdom collapsed within decades of Pepi II’s death, ending the centralized pyramid-building state. The First Intermediate Period (c. 2160–2055 BCE) that followed saw no royal pyramid construction, and when pyramid building resumed in the Middle Kingdom it was on a significantly reduced scale. Pepi II’s pyramid thus marks the effective end of the great pyramid-building era.
Gustave Jéquier excavated the complex between 1926 and 1936, documenting the three queens’ pyramids and their Pyramid Text inscriptions. His work revealed that the queens’ complexes were miniature versions of the royal complex, each with a valley temple, causeway, mortuary temple, and satellite pyramid — a reflection of the high status accorded to the royal wives.
What to See
Pyramid Texts Interior
The burial chamber and antechamber walls are covered in vertically arranged hieroglyphic spells from the Pyramid Texts corpus, painted in blue-green against limestone.
Queens' Pyramids
Three subsidiary pyramid complexes for Neith, Iput II, and Wedjebten, each containing Pyramid Texts — the only queens' pyramids known to have this feature.
Southern Saqqara Setting
The complex sits in the quieter southern section of Saqqara away from main tourist traffic, surrounded by virtually undisturbed desert and offering an unencumbered view of the full pyramid field.
Photo Gallery
Visitor Information
Daily 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
⛔ Closed: NeverNo dress restrictions
Photography is free
Limited accessibility
💡 Visitor Tips
Location & Map
🚕 How to Get There
Located in the southern section of the Saqqara necropolis, approximately 35 km south of central Cairo; no direct public transport — best reached by private vehicle as part of a Saqqara full-day excursion.
