Pyramid of Userkaf

The ancient Egyptians ultimately never built another structure as large as the famous Great Pyramid of Giza. Although pyramids continued to be built, they ended up being on a much smaller scale, accompanied by a change in design and religious practices. The pyramids of the 5th and 6th Dynasties, of which that of Pharaoh Userkaf is the oldest, look much less majestic than those at Giza.

The Pyramid of Userkaf in particular has been nicknamed the “Heap of Stone,” and could easily be mistaken for one. Its appearance is because its interior was constructed of more easily transportable rubble, rather than the enormous bricks found at Giza. Like Giza, however, it was once covered in polished dressed limestone, giving a smooth and straight surface. This has since been entirely stripped away, largely by other pharaohs for latter construction projects.

With a base 73 meters (about 240 feet) on each side, this pyramid was likely originally a more impressive 49 meters tall (about 160 feet). Unlike earlier pyramids, its entrance, today closed off, faces north instead of east or west. Surrounding the pyramid are the foundational remains of a black basalt mortuary temple, a smaller cult pyramid, and a unique separate offering chapel. There was also a separate pyramid and mortuary temple for Userkaf’s wife, Neferhetepes.