Summary

• Among Egypt’s 118 pyramids, Djedefre’s stands out, shrouded in mystery and unanswered questions. It was known as the ‘lost pyramid,’ possibly towering like the great Giza pyramids.
• Built during the Old Kingdom by Djedefre, it boasted polished limestone and granite exteriors, featuring a large pyramidion. However, it remained unfinished and faced destruction through various eras, serving as a quarry and being pillaged for temples.
• Situated in Abu Rowash, the pyramid’s recent excavations challenged assumptions about its completion. Djedefre, successor to Khufu, embraced the title “Son of Ra,” leaving behind few records and adding to the intrigue.
• Djedefre’s pyramid differed in design, employing a pit and ramp method for chambers beneath the pyramid, symbolizing Egyptian creation myths. It departed from contemporary styles, showcasing both innovation and symbolic depth.
• The pyramid complex included satellite pyramids, a boat pit, enclosure walls, and workshops. Theories suggest it was more than halfway finished and would have rivaled the Pyramid of Menkaure if completed.
• Over time, the pyramid’s glory faded due to pillaging by Romans, Christians, and later civilizations. From its estimated original height of 67 meters, it stands at 11.4 meters today, a testament to its enduring impact on ancient history.

Out of all the 118 pyramids in Egypt, one pyramid seems to be more special, the pyramid of Djedefre, which has always been shrouded with many unanswered questions. It has been dubbed the lost pyramid as the pyramid may have been one the highest pyramids ever built that could rival the great pyramids of Giza. The Djedefre pyramid is believed to be the same height as the third pyramid of Giza, the pyramid of Menkaure.

The pyramid of Djedefre was considered to be one of the most beautiful of all the pyramids as it contained an exterior of polished limestone and imported granite and was crowned with a large pyramidion, but the site remains an unfinished funerary complex since its construction in the old kingdom by the fourth dynasty ruler Djedefra (2566-2558 BC), the name Djedefra means is Sehedu star, and the pyramid was once called “Djedefre’s Starry Sky“.

The destruction of the pyramid started at the end of the new kingdom (1550-1050 BC) all throughout the Roman Christian era in order to construct various temples and monasteries at the times of the 19th century, it was proven that the stones were being hauled away by camels at the rate of three hundred loads a day.

History of the Djedefre Pyramid

The Great Pyramid of Pharaoh Djedefre was established in the old kingdom of ancient Egypt (2700 – 2200 BC) in the 4th dynasty (2613 – 2494 BC), which was created to equal the size of the Pyramid of Menkaure. The true pyramid was called Djedefre’s Starry Sky, which is made of mostly ruins found in the area of Abu Rawash, which is known as Egypt’s northernmost pyramid.

Recent excavations from 1995 to 2005 unveiled a different narrative showcasing that Djedefre’s pyramid was indeed completed during his reign. With the ravages of time, the pyramid has reached its current state, with statues of the king smashed as late as the 2nd century AD. The Roman era, about 2000 years ago, saw Djedefre’s pyramid serving as a stone quarry, contributing to its diminished stature today.

Pyramid of Djedefre Location

The pyramid of Djedefre is located in the continuation of Gebel El-Ghigiga on the western bank of the Nile valley, in the archaeological area of Abu Rowash that belongs in the northern section of the necropolis at the city of Memphis. The pyramid is believed to have been destroyed for an unknown reason.

Who is Djedefre

Pharaoh Djedefre (2566 – 2558 BC) was a prominent ruler of Egypt’s 4th Dynasty during the Old Kingdom, which has left an indelible mark on ancient history. Djedefre succeeded his renowned father, Khufu, the architect of the Great Pyramid of Giza. Djedefre introduced the royal title “Sa-Rê” meaning “Son of Ra” and notably linked his cartouche name with the sun god Ra, showcasing a deep connection to divine symbolism. The relatively scarce monuments and records left by Djedefre add an air of mystery to his rule, inviting historians to piece together the puzzle of this enigmatic pharaoh.

Djedefre’s marital choices added intriguing layers to his story. He married Hetepheres II, the widow of his brother Kawab and sister to both. Another queen, Khentetenka, emerges from statue fragments in the Abu Rowash mortuary temple. Djedefre’s offspring include Hornit, Baka, Setka, and Neferhetepes, each playing a unique role in the intricate tapestry of ancient Egyptian royalty. Djedefre’s reign lasted eight years, according to the Turin King List, which is found in Italy.

A monumental discovery of inscriptions related to Djedefre’s 11th cattle count fuels scholarly debate among Egyptologists. Djedefre’s pyramid was indeed completed in his reign, challenging the notion of a short rule due to an unfinished monument. Many scholars believe that the sphinx was created in his image, but the majority of archaeologists and historians believe it is not true.

The Architecture of Djedefre Pyramid

The architecture of the Djedefre’s pyramid is highly different than its immediate predecessors, as the chambers were beneath the pyramid instead of inside. The pyramid of Djedefre was built on a natural mound as it symbolizes the Ancient Egyptian creation myth, and the chambers were constructed using a ramp. Djedefre employed the “pit and ramp” method, previously used in mastaba tombs. He excavated a pit measuring 21m x 9m and 20m deep in the natural mound. A ramp, inclined at an angle of 22º35′, facilitated the construction of chambers and access passages within the pit.

After the inner chambers were built, the pit and the ramp were filled in, and the pyramid was built over the top; this allowed the chambers to be made without any form of tunneling and was able to avoid the structural complication regarding making chambers within the body of the pyramid itself. The pyramid’s present height is 11.4 meters (37 feet), a significant reduction from its original height. The slope of the pyramid ranged from 51° to 52°. Djedefre departed from contemporary styles by adopting a rectangular enclosure wall oriented north-south, reminiscent of Djoser and Sekhemkhet’s constructions. The pyramid of Djedefre was created by a rectangular enclosure wall oriented north-south, similar to the architectural style of Djoser and Sekhemkhet. The mortuary temple is on the east side of the pyramid; the boat pit contained many fragments of red, and the boat pit contained many fragments of red quartzite statuary with three painted heads from statues of the pharaoh Djedefra.

This departure in design, along with the use of natural mounds, not only showcased architectural innovation but may have also served as a symbolic nod to the primeval mound in Egyptian creation myths. This distinctive approach possibly facilitated construction efforts, offering a pragmatic solution while embracing symbolic significance. To the north of the pyramid is the Wadi Quran, which is still unexcavated. The site also contains some remains and statues from the Coptic era. To the east of the pyramid complex is an old kingdom cemetery, and about two km to the south are the remains of a brick-built pyramid comprising a knoll of rock and a burial chamber.

Components of the Pyramid Complex of Djedefre

Djedefre’s pyramid, aka “Djedefre Sehedu” or “Djedefre’s Starry Sky” was constructed using third-dynasty building techniques, resembling the Step Pyramid of Djoser. He built on a rocky outcrop that featured a descending corridor leading to an antechamber and burial chamber. A foundation deposit with a copper axe blade was buried in the corridor while the lower layers were clad in pink granite; upper courses likely used stone cladding set at an angle, forming a true pyramid with a slope of approximately fifty degrees. Despite its ruined state, the pyramid was completed, but during the Roman period, it served as a quarry and military base.

Satellite Pyramids

Next to Djedefre’s pyramid were satellite pyramids, with one possibly dedicated to a wife of Djedefre. Another small pyramid that was recently discovered contained chambers and fragments of a limestone sarcophagus that could have belonged to Hetepheres II, who was Djedefre’s wife. Artifacts recovered included tiles, pottery fragments, alabaster jars, and lids with inscriptions linked to Khufu’s Horus name. The presence of sarcophagus fragments did not conclusively indicate a queen’s burial.

Boat Pit

A trench pit on the east side believed to be the boat pit, is known to have contained around 120 intentionally defaced statues of Djedefre. Although no boat remains were found, the curved shape of the pit suggested accommodation for a boat’s hull and prow. Romans and Christians likely defaced the statues.

Enclosure Wall and Causeway

The pyramid had inner and outer enclosure walls, which were connected by a covered walkway. The outer wall, around 2.5 meters thick, was oriented north-south. The causeway was known to be unusual for running north-south, which lacked a discovered valley temple. Storage rooms and housing for priests were typically near the valley temple, which was positioned beside the pyramid.

Workshops and Housing

A walkway between the walls led to workshops, including a guard room, grain stores, a workshop, worker housing, bakeries, and a brewery. The workshops showed evidence of stone block shaping, and a diorite statue fragment of Menkaure suggested his involvement in restoration work. A house in the workshop courtyard is known to contain a reception hall, bedroom, and public rooms, and it bore Djedefre’s seal, which indicates occupation by someone serving his cult.

Theories of the Pyramid Of Djedefre

Recent excavations show that the pyramid was more than half finished. Had it been completed, estimates indicate it would have rivaled the size of the Pyramid of Menkaure, the third largest at Giza. It could have possessed a striking structure adorned with polished granite and limestone, topped by a grand pyramidion; it was believed to be the most aesthetically pleasing among the pyramids. The pyramid’s fate took a downturn after the Roman conquest of Egypt under Emperor Augustus. The Romans, seeking construction materials, significantly dismantled Djedefre’s creation, which was known as “Djedefre’s Starry Sky“.

This pillaging of the materials began around the end of the ancient Egyptian New Kingdom. It intensified during the Roman and early Christian eras, plus the Islamic periods and the days of the 19th century. The pyramid’s original splendor was lost with time, with its stones repurposed for Roman endeavors. Even as late as the nineteenth century, the relentless removal of stone persisted, highlighting the enduring impact of the pyramid’s deconstruction on the landscape, with up to three hundred camel loads of stone taken away daily.

Djedefre Pyramid Facts

• The pyramid is attributed to Pharaoh Djedefre, who was the son of Khufu, the pharaoh associated with the Great Pyramid of Giza who built it during the 4th Dynasty of the Old Kingdom, around 2566–2558 BCE.
• It is located in the northern part of the Giza Plateau, near the modern village of Abu Rawash. This location is distinct from the more famous Giza pyramids.
• Unlike the smooth-sided pyramids of Giza, the Pyramid of Djedefre has a unique design with a core that consists of mudbrick and limestone chippings. The outer casing, made of Tura limestone, has mostly eroded over time.
• The original size of the pyramid is estimated to have been around 67 m (220 ft; 128 cu) in height, but it is now 11.4 m (37 ft; 21.8 cu). However, due to erosion and the removal of stones for construction in later periods, the pyramid is now much smaller.
  Abandonment:
• Djedefre’s reign was relatively short, and the pyramid appears to have been abandoned or left unfinished. Some theories suggest that the pharaoh might have moved his capital to Abu Rawash, leading to the discontinuation of construction at Giza.
  Purpose:
• The pyramid served as a funerary monument for the pharaoh, while others proposed that it may have had a ceremonial or symbolic function. The pyramid has been subject to various explorations and studies by archaeologists and historians. Excavations have revealed remnants of the pyramid’s construction and provided insights into the architectural techniques used during the Old Kingdom.
• The Pyramid of Djedefre, like the pyramids of Giza, is aligned with the cardinal points. This alignment was significant in ancient Egyptian religious and funerary beliefs.
• In the Islamic period, the Pyramid of Djedefre was likely used as a source of building material. Many of its stones were quarried and repurposed for other construction projects, contributing to the current state of the pyramid.