Summary

• Abusir, southwest of Cairo on the Nile’s western bank, served as a burial ground for elite Memphis residents. It’s dubbed “The Place of Worship of Osiris”.
• Hosting ruins of four 5th Dynasty pyramids, Abusir includes a sun temple, mastabas, and papyri shedding light on ancient rituals and culture.
• Notable pyramids like Sahure, Neferirkare, Neferefre, and Nyuserre showcase changes in pyramid design, artistry, and historical events tied to their construction.
• The Czech Institute has extensively excavated Abusir since 1960, unearthing royal tombs, discovering papyri, and revealing insights into ancient Egyptian life.
• Besides the pyramids, Abusir hosts temples, including a Ramses II temple, and smaller structures like Queen Khentkaus II’s pyramid and various mastabas.
• From the Old Kingdom to the New Kingdom, Abusir houses tombs of officials, priests, and royal family members, showcasing the region’s historical depth and cultural evolution.

In the heart of Egypt, in the center of Cairo, just 25 km (15 mi) southwest of Cairo on the western bank of the Nile River, lies the majestic necropolis of Abusir. It has been dubbed the house of Osiris and is set just several km north of Saqqara.

Abusir Necropolis is one of the most incredible and poorly recognized destinations in Egypt. It was used as one of the official burial grounds and cemeteries for the elite residents of Memphis, the official capital of the old kingdom (2575-2150 BC), and the focus of all the burial rites operating across the capital.

Abusir History

Abusir is a magnificent archaeological pyramid complex filled with the ruins of four great pyramids of kings of the old kingdom (2700 – 2200 BC). It is known to be a vital part of the Pyramid Fields of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Memphis and its Necropolis. Abu-Sir is a highly important archaeological site located about 15 miles southwest of Cairo on the western bank of the Nile River. It holds several pyramids from the fifth Dynasty (2494-2345 BC), a sun temple, mastaba tombs, and shaft tombs from the Late Period (747-332 BC).

The name “Abu-Sir” is derived from the Egyptian “Per-Usire” meaning “The Place of Worship of the God Osiris” who was the ruler of the land of the dead. It acted as the main cemetery for elite members who lived in the ancient capital of Memphis. This elite cemetery was filled with many huge pyramids and great monuments of both the 4th and 5th dynasty pharaohs who desired a different place to hold their funerary monuments.

The place is renowned for discovering the oldest old kingdom papyri, which became known as Abusir Papyri. In the late 19th century, many Western museums were known to hold collections and fragmentary papyri taken from the administrative records of the Abusir funerary cult belonging to Pharaoh Neferirkare Kakai. In the 20th century, a Czech expedition revealed papyri from 2 other great cult complexes that belonged to pharaoh Neferefre and to the king’s mother, Khentkaus II. Near the ancient town of Busiris, there are extensive catacombs, as documented by Pliny.

To the south of Busiris, a large cemetery seems to have extended across the plain. It’s worth mentioning that Busiris, during the Heptanomite period, was a small settlement situated at one end of the Memphis necropolis. The Czech Institute of Egyptology, part of the Faculty of Arts at Charles University in Prague, has a long history of conducting excavations at Abusir. Their work at this site dates back to 1960 when they started with the mastaba of Ptahshepses. Since 1976, their concession expanded to include the southern part of the royal necropolis. In 1991, the institute began excavating at Abusir South.

Location and How to Get Abusir

The magical land of Abusir, or the house of the temple of Osiris, is found in the Nile valley of Egypt which is 11 kilometers (7 miles) south of Cairo in the county of Badrashin in Giza within the western desert plateau. It was the main cemetery of Memphis, with the Giza pyramids on the north and Saqqara on the south.

The best way to reach the great lands of Abusir is by booking with a travel agency that will provide all the means of transportation and the experience of a seasoned tour guide who will uncover the historical significance and the presence of several ancient Egyptian monuments, including pyramids, temples, and tombs.

Abusir Pyramids

Abusir archaeological area contains famous pyramids made of four kings dating to the 5th dynasty, which are known as being of a lesser quality compared to the ones of the 4th dynasty, highlighting the decline in royal authority and economic prosperity. They are known to be smaller in size and made of local stone of very low quality. All the major pyramids of Abusir are known to be built in the shape of step pyramids. The most recognized pyramids belong to fifth Dynasty rulers who are Userkaf, Sahura, Neferirkara, Raneferef, and Nyuserra.

Sahure Pyramid Complex

Sahure pyramid complex is considered a milestone in royal tomb development. While smaller than the fourth Dynasty pyramids which include a valley temple, causeway, mortuary temple, and pyramid. The pyramid of Sahure was constructed in ancient Egypt around the 26th to 25th century BC, which marked the beginning of a series of pyramids built by Sahure’s successors in Abusir. The site was heavily excavated between 1907 and 1908. The mortuary temple had an impressive portico, red granite columns, and fine-painted decorations.

This complex served as a milestone in pyramid construction, with a reduced construction scale but an increase in decorative elements and storerooms. The site featured intricate relief carvings, some of which are considered exceptional in Egyptian art. It also employed valuable materials like granite, alabaster, and basalt. The primary pyramid was made of rough limestone blocks and encased in fine Tura limestone which had a base of approximately 78.5 to 78.75 meters and stood between 47 to 48 meters high, although architects had made an error in its base placement.

The internal chambers were damaged by stone thieves, thus making reconstruction impossible. Only stone fragments from the basalt sarcophagus were found. The mortuary temple included several elements, and a cult pyramid was situated nearby. The two temples were connected by a decorated causeway, and the valley temple had two entrances, one on the east and another on the south side, the purpose of the latter remains uncertain.

Sahure’s mortuary temple became the center of a Sekhmet cult, which continued until the Ptolemaic Kingdom (305 – 30 BC). Its influence declined during the reign of Ramesses II. Despite waves of destruction on the Abusir monuments, Sahure’s temple largely escaped harm. In later dynasties, there was renewed interest in these monuments, as demonstrated by the copying of their reliefs for other temples. The Roman period brought another round of destruction to the Abusir monuments, but Sahure’s temple was spared.

In the Christian era, it became a Coptic shrine, and from the 4th to 7th century AD, evidence of pottery and graffiti from that period was discovered at the site. Throughout history, the monuments were periodically quarried for limestone until the late 19th century.

Neferirkare Pyramid

Neferirkara’s pyramid rose to approximately 74 meters in height, but it remained unfinished due to the ruler’s early death. His mortuary temple was constructed with mud bricks and wood. Papyrus archives were discovered in his temple, shedding light on temple personnel, inventories, and letters.

The pyramid of Neferirkare was built for pharaoh Neferirkare Kakai in the 25th century BC of the 5th Dynasty. It’s located in the Abusir necropolis, between Saqqara and Giza, and is known for its height, making it the tallest structure in the area.

During the Fifth Dynasty, pyramid construction was transitioning to smaller, more standardized designs with intricate and magical relief decorations. Neferirkare’s pyramid stood out because it was mainly created as a majestic step pyramid, a design outdated since the Third Dynasty, and later encased in a second step pyramid to change it into a true pyramid.

Unfortunately, the pharaoh’s death led to rushed completion using cheaper materials, resulting in the pyramid lacking essential components of a pyramid complex, like a valley temple, causeway, and cult pyramid. Instead, a settlement of heavenly mudbrick homes was established nearby for cult priests, leading to the discovery of the Abusir Papyri.

The pyramid’s excavation led to the finding of the incredible Abusir Papyri, an important collection of ancient documents. These papyri are significant as they span from the reign of Djedkare Isesi to Pepi II and provide insights into the management of the king’s funerary cult, including offerings, letters, daily priestly activities, and temple inventories. They also shed light on the interplay between the mortuary temple, sun temple, and other institutions. For example, they suggest that goods for Neferirkare’s funerary cult were transported by ship to the pyramid complex.

The initial findings were made in 1893 by illicit diggers and subsequent discoveries. The papyri were written in hieratic, a cursive form of hieroglyphics, and are still studied today. The full extent of the papyri’s records remains unknown as more recent findings are yet to be published.

Neferefre Pyramid

Neferefre pyramid, also known as the Raneferef Pyramid, was constructed in the 25th century BC for the Egyptian pharaoh Neferefre during the 5th Dynasty. It’s the third pyramid in the Abusir diagonal, connecting the great Abusir pyramids with the marvelous Heliopolis within the necropolis. Neferefre’s untimely death led to the pyramid remaining unfinished and being hastily transformed into a square mastaba, resembling a primeval mound. A limestone mortuary temple under King Shepseskare, and later expanded in three phases by Neferefre’s younger brother, Nyuserre, who added features like a hypostyle hall, statues, and a five-niche statue temple.

One intriguing discovery near the pyramid is “The Sanctuary of the Knife” which was used for ritual animal sacrifices as part of the mortuary cult. Historical records mention a significant event involving 130 bull sacrifices during a ten-day festival. However, the abattoir closed during the Sixth Dynasty, and the mortuary cult saw a revival during the Twelfth Dynasty.

Neferefre’s complex has remained relatively well-preserved despite centuries of limestone quarrying. In the substructure, there are some fragments of a marvelous red granite sarcophagus that held Neferefre’s mummy. The mastaba tomb of Khentkaus III, who was Neferefre’s wife, was discovered. There were also fragments of a mummy with inscriptions referring to the “mother of the king” found near his unfinished pyramid, though the identity of this particular king remains a mystery.

Newoserre Pyramid

Newoserre’s pyramid complex was constructed near Neferirkara’s pyramid. It appropriated unfinished foundations for its temple and causeway. Newoserre’s wife, Repulnub, does not appear to be buried nearby. Other family members, officials, and viziers were also buried in the area. The pyramid of Nyuserre, built in the mid-25th century BC, is a complex dedicated to the Egyptian pharaoh Nyuserre Ini of the Fifth Dynasty.

During his reign, Nyuserre completed the unfinished monuments of his family members before working on his own pyramid complex. Located in the Abusir necropolis, it includes a main pyramid, a mortuary temple with unique features, a valley temple, a causeway, and a cult pyramid. The main pyramid, once nearly 52 meters tall, is now reduced to ruins due to stone thieves. The mortuary temple’s L-shape design accommodates nearby mastabas, and it features an antechamber carrée and an unexplained square platform. Pylon prototypes are found at the corners of the site.

A separate enclosure houses the cult pyramid, and a causeway connects the mortuary and valley temples. Other pyramid complexes and mastabas are nearby, possibly associated with Nyuserre’s consorts and children. The tombs of priests and officials connected to Nyuserre’s funerary cult are also located in the vicinity, and there is debate among Egyptologists about the survival of Nyuserre’s funerary cult in the Middle Kingdom.

Small Pyramids & Mastabas

In the vicinity of the larger pyramids, there are several smaller pyramids and mastabas of notable individuals from ancient Egyptian history. These structures include:

• Lepsius Pyramid no. 24, likely belonging to a queen. The presence of the vizier Ptahshepses’ name among the builders’ marks indicates it was constructed during the reign of Pharaoh Nyuserre.
• The pyramid of Queen Khentkaus II, who was the wife of Neferirkare and the mother of Neferefre and Niuserre.
• Lepsius Pyramid no. 25 is believed to be the pyramid of a queen from the Fifth Dynasty.

In addition to the smaller pyramids, there are mastabas of courtiers and family members of these rulers. Notable tombs include:

The mastaba of Ptahshepses, who served as the vizier under Nyuserre.

• In the vicinity of King Raneferef’s pyramid complex, there is a group of four mastabas collectively known as the “Nakthsare” cemetery, likely containing the tombs of individuals associated with King Raneferef. These mastabas are:
• The mastaba of Queen Khentkaus III, presumably a spouse of Raneferef.
• The mastaba of Prince Nakhtsare, who may have been the son of Raneferef or Nyuserre.
• The mastaba of “count” Kakaibaef.

These structures provide valuable insights into the royal and aristocratic figures of the time, shedding light on their roles and relationships within the ancient Egyptian civilization.

Abusir Temple

The Abusir area holds substantial remains of a gigantic temple that was constructed in the Ramesside period which is located 500 meters southeast of the pyramids and within the close range of the cultivated area of the Sahura. The temple was built over mudbricks by skilled builders from the 3rd and 4th dynasties which sheds light on the historical and archaeological importance of the attraction.  The temple is made of limestone blocks and three callars.

There is a small hall which is supported by four columns, and a courtyard enclosed by great mudbrick that features ten limestone columns. This epic limestone structure was a vital part of a larger complex, which was constructed by mud bricks which also included pylon and storage chambers. The temple was dedicated to a solar cult that mainly focused on Amun, Ra, and Nekhbet. The archaeologists held fragments of inscriptions bearing the titles of Ramesses II and polychrome reliefs.

Abusir Mummies and Tombs

To the north of Saqqara lies a cemetery housing the funerary objects, mummies, and remains of lower-ranking officials from the Early Dynastic Period and the Old Kingdom. The earliest tombs from the First Dynasty are found in the “Bonnet Cemetery” named after Hans Bonnet, the scholar who documented the site. This burial ground was excavated in 1910 by Georg Steindorff and Uvo Hölscher.

Notably, recent research on artifacts from this location, held in Leipzig University’s collection, revealed a peculiar vessel known as ÄMUL 2162, crafted from arsenical copper with nickel, which suggests the possibility of copper importation to Egypt.

In the Old Kingdom cemetery located at Abusir South, you can find several significant tombs:

• The tomb of Ity, who was an elite member, dates back to the early Fourth Dynasty.
• The tomb of Hetepi, who was a priest from the beginning of the Third Dynasty.
• The tomb of Nyankhseshat, who served as a property custodian of the king during the early Fourth Dynasty. This tomb also features a stela belonging to a Fifth-Dynasty official named Sekhemka and his presumed spouse, Henutsen.
• The tomb of Kaaper, who was an architect and priest from the early Fifth Dynasty.
• The tomb of Rahotep, who was a priest from the end of the Fifth Dynasty.
• The tomb of Fetekti, who was another priest from the end of the Fifth Dynasty.
• The tomb of Qar and his sons, who were viziers from the early Sixth Dynasty, were buried in the late Sixth Dynasty during the reign of Pepi II Neferkare.
• The rock-cut tomb of Nakhtmin from the New Kingdom, who was a charioteer.

In addition, there is a Saite-Persian cemetery located on a small hill just south of the pyramid of Neferefre, featuring several tombs from the Saite period:

• The tomb of Udjahorresnet.
• The tomb of Iufaa.
• The tomb of Menekhibneko.
• The tomb of Padihor.
• Tomb R3.

These burial sites offer valuable insights into the history and culture of the region throughout different periods.

Abusir Facts

• Abusir, among the oldest sites in ancient Egypt, dates back to the middle Paleolithic era and gained prominence during the 5th dynasty of the Old Kingdom.
• Hosts 14 pyramids, serving as the primary royal necropolis for the 5th dynasty rulers. However, these pyramids were notably smaller and of lower quality compared to earlier ones, constructed using local stone.
• Originally built resembling step pyramids, later transformed into true pyramids by filling the steps with loose masonry. Notable examples include the Pyramid of Sahure with intricately carved reliefs, the intact Pyramid of Niuserre, and the tallest Pyramid of Neferirkare.
• Besides the major pyramids, there are smaller ones like Queen Khentkaus II’s pyramid and the incomplete Pyramids of Neferefre & Shepseskaf. The site also houses numerous tombs for high officials and their families, located near the king’s pyramid. Additionally, a cemetery for lower-ranking officials from the New Kingdom is situated north of Saqqara.
• Around 500 meters southeast of the pyramids stands King Ramses II’s temple, featuring a small hall with four columns and a courtyard adorned with ten limestone columns.