The Pyramid of Neferefre (Raneferer) at Abusir

Study of the pyramid Neferefre, known as the unfinished pyramid at the Pyramids of ill-treatment and give the view of the very wide range of Egyptologists how to collect evidence for Egyptian history.

This pyramid was known pyramid is called the heavenly life of God is the power of Ba Neferefre
This pyramid was examined by a number of early explorers, including the PERRING, Lepsius, at Morgan, Borchardt, and others. Although some of these believe that it might be Neferefre the pyramid, and others attributed this to Shepseskare.
Make others reluctant to identify the owner. None of them believes that the mummy of the pyramid is intended territories not over yet.

    In fact, the pyramid was very similar to the tomb on the bench, but it is not square and rectangular, or between the north and south orientation, MA. In fact, due to the truncated form, which was supposed to be a pyramid structure, such as banks have become priests later called 'primitive hill', the birth place of eternal life and resurrection.


Ludwig Borchardt, an archaeologist and experts with experience in building the pyramids, was in fact a few inches of the discovery of the true nature of the pyramid is incomplete to the early 20th.

    Desire does not completely ignore the ruins on the western side of the cemetery of abuse, test excavations. Decided to dig a trench several feet down into a deep trench running from the north to the center of the monument.

Here, in the case of more than one grave, it would be natural to assume the existence of a walkway leading to the burial chamber. However, it came to the agreement or their remains, and this negative result, and confirmed that this belief was rough, and incomplete structure, which consists of no more than the lowest level of the heart of the pyramid, out of work begun in the undercarriage.

Unfortunately for Burkhart, has continued his research, and perhaps dig meters below the point where he gave up, he would have made two significant findings in the rubble. If he had reached the bottom of the trench would have been discovered, and partly remains at the site, and large blocks of red granite, which was built blocks rake in the corridor leading to the burial chamber, which revealed the existence of a complete infrastructure.
It can also be found in the pattern recorded in the black line on a cluster of the base of the structure containing the name of Neferefre.

However, the negative consequences of the unfinished pyramid to 70 years in Forgotten archaeological sites. Finally, in the 1970s, made the University of Prague in methodological research, and engage in multiple paths, and concluded that it was in fact Neferefre the pyramid, and the fact that the mummy had been buried in the pyramid.

First, they discovered that the mortuary temple of Neferefre specifically mentioned in a piece of papyrus found in the mortuary temple of Neferirkara. This paper suggests that at least Neferefre mortuary temple is located in the area of sexual abuse, and perhaps the very near Neferirkara compound.
 
The second track is a block of limestone found in the village of abuse, which probably came from Neferirkara in the funerary temple. The study revealed a scene depicting the partial Neferirkara family, which included, in addition to the king, his consort Khentkaues II and his eldest son, Neferre. We believe that Neferre, which means "re-nice", and perhaps later changed its name to Neferefre which means "the subject is beauty."

Finally, in the south-east corner of the line with the rest of the Giza pyramids, and this point in the heart of Old New Egypt (Temple of Ra and a famous center of worship of the sun, Iunu), and so do the north-west corner of the pyramid, the main violations.

The first two pyramids in Egypt the new line in Abu Sir is Sahure Neferirkara and the unfinished pyramid, with the next. Therefore, it seems that he belongs to the next king, which we feel has been Neferefre.

Other archaeological evidence since then has strengthened the hypothesis that the pyramid is Neferefre.

Czech Republic, and now in the latter part of the 20th, the advantage of technical Borchardt, who began investigating the use of geophysical, especially with magnetometry.

 There is no need to get rid of the preliminary work that they were able to study the interface of the eastern wall of the structure of the surface. Its conclusions were unequivocal, and surprising, to determine that the tests under the sand was a huge building, very clear built of brick, with the basic outline in the form of the letter "T". This is the distinctive shape of the funerary temples to the family of 5th and 6th.

And excavations, with intervals between each of the centers of archaeological and continued through the 1980s and 1990s, and produced a series of surprises, and in many ways unique archaeological discoveries, including the building of the technical complexity of the situation of a royal tomb in that period and the royal mortuary cult of the organization, among others.

Moreover, the incomplete nature of this complex task which may have occurred outside of the tomb robbers and thieves of the stone is also doing a lot of damage to it (in spite of the extensive damage), at the same time to allow the study of many archaeologists and indicated above issues related to building the pyramid .
We now know that this site has been taken to the bearings and balance of payments for the future.
Was then drilled in the base station in a trench rectangular east-west orientation, in part, which is under the ownership of land from the cemetery will be built.
 
Then dig a deep trench in the bottom of the trench from the north, to be dedicated to the work of drilling the initial passage leading to rooms under the ground.

It was also possible for archaeologists to determine the nature of this structure is not complete work on the infrastructure is expected to begin after a short period of work in factories in the first phase of the superstructure.

This superstructure has provided some surprises and great interest to archaeologists. It was long believed that the core of the pyramid was built by the organization to the building block of the station entered into a caste system ramps, inclined at an angle 75 degrees, resting on the central shaft of vertical axis around the stone in the pyramid.

Therefore, the impact on the construction specified in the rules of procedure of the cover looks like layers of an onion. Interestingly, this theory has been proposed by Richard Lepsius, based on a study of the pyramid of users Neferirkara and others.

    Borchardt, who won the three largest pyramids of Abu Sir, and adopted this theory.
However, the incomplete nature of the pyramid and the cleanliness of the thick layers of debris which covers the remainder of the king's burial chamber seems to refute this theory before. Here, the exterior of the first phase of the heart of the pyramid formed by a retaining wall made of huge blocks of limestone, dark gray up to five meters, which was linked to the well with mud. These were stacked to make this an essential first step of about seven meters. Similarly, there was a wall to maintain the small blocks inside the building, which form the walls of the rectangular moat of the infrastructure from the grave. Between these two walls was,

however, not the accumulation of layers, but small pieces of limestone of inferior quality, and sometimes stuck together with mortar of mud and sand, and sometimes dry bulk. Sometimes a small cabin constructed of rough blocks of stone and filled with rubble, sometimes mixed with fragments of brick and ceramics.

Logical pyramids of Abu Sir other great had been built in the same way. Of course, despite the fact that this method is obsolete, it is not certain from the viewpoint of stability, is also less demanding in terms of time and material. Of course, this also explains why the pyramids Absu, now stripped of the outer casing of fine white limestone and intended to be exposed to all kinds of erosion of human beings and Mother Nature, and now looks like an ugly piles of stone.
 
Is not necessarily true that all the pyramids of Egypt were built this way.
 
Begin work on infrastructure, and shortly after the start of work on the superstructure was a logical step in light of the gabled roof structure of sub-rooms, which originally was almost certainly planned by the architect of the pyramid, as in the past pyramids of Abu Sir, which consists of three layers , each with large lumps of limestone.
 It seems, however, we assume that the early death of the rule forced builders to reduce the number of classes.
 
However, the procedures necessary to put a ceiling of the infrastructure must be present in the construction of outer-ROM, so that the large lumps of the surface of the hip can be berthed. Therefore, the gabled roof was at the level of the pyramid.
 
And premature death of the king, it seems, even before the construction of substructure and rider down, led to a radical change in the original construction project. All underground rooms was completed quickly, and the empty space above the gabled roof of the king in the funerary apartment was filled with bits of rubble and stone walls in the order of the country runs through the center of the pyramid.


    Now, in a first step of the base of the pyramid appears truncated, which was then faced with blocks of white limestone fine. On the outer surface, which had an angle of about 78 degrees, and was carefully paved, and now what was to be the pyramid has become a regular square terrace.
 
Fragments of papyrus found in the mortuary temple of the evidence that the complex structure was referred to the hill "by those who built it at a later time, and served at the King's funerary cult. It is interesting, and the upper surface because it was covered with a layer of mud several inches thick, and coarse gravel that has been collected from the surrounding desert was applied. Therefore, the integration of the surface of the hill "in the desert.
 
Unfortunately, while the structure may have made less attractive to thieves stone pyramids that some of the most visible, has also facilitated the quarry of the structure.
 
Thieves simply extracted from the above, and even set up a workshop on the roof to break the limestone that the fine white lines inside the rooms. Structure and was perhaps the first looted during the first transitional phase, so it became an easy target for exploitation of a quarry in subsequent years.
 We know, for example, that the pyramid of stones used in some of the graves near the shaft of the Persians at a later time in Egyptian history, stones and continued to disappear till the 19th.

Ground plan of the unfinished pyramid of Neferefre at Abusir in Egypt
Entrance of the pyramid is at the center of the north side, near ground level. And curves slightly to the south-east before it reaches the lobby, in the low-lying areas and lined pink granite and sealed with the same materials. Barrier a huge block of pink granite is unique in this pyramid. Is unprecedented among the royal tombs in the age pyramid. Usually, the rake (stone bridge) slips vertically.

 However, it was used Neferefre pyramid, which is an innovative system of pairs of appendages and stones with holes.

The system was designed and used perhaps because the builders of the tomb Neferefre were aware of the fact that the wall of the building would be easy for thieves above.

Behind the wall, waiting room and the burial chamber in the pyramid in a very precise alignment of the East to the West. All rooms are covered with fine white limestone

Obviously, only a few remnants of the original content of the pyramid were found. However, of great importance, together with fragments of the coffin and rose four canopic jars of alabaster, and bowls made of marble, sacrifices, and parts of the mummy were also found, including the left hand of the total.

 Anatomical research indicates that the mummy belongs to a man from the age of 20 to 23, and other evidence indicate that these remains are probably those Neferefre.

Also, a set of brands of construction companies and the inscriptions found in the construction of the monument of great historical significance. For example, in reference to the phrase "in the first year of the counting of cattle," which is roughly equivalent in the second year of the reign of King Abdullah II is very important. It is likely that this year, or shortly thereafter, and died Neferefre

After the death of Neferefre, his successor faces some difficult tasks, since it is he who will fill the grave, under the new divine Pharaoh, to prepare the funeral of his predecessor. Usually, established Pharaoh worship in the great funerary temple built in front of the east side of the pyramid, but in the short time remaining before the funeral Neferefre was clear that it is impossible to build a clear-cut definition of the schema on the basis of religious principles.

Therefore, on the eastern side of the same basis on which the pyramid is a funerary temple built too small, and between the North and South, has been hastily built of small blocks of fine white limestone. Was in a party of five-meter platform base of the pyramid, which was originally created from two layers of huge blocks of limestone as the basis of the soft limestone casing of the pyramid.

Because of the deteriorating situation of this temple, we can only guess that a lot of determination. During this phase of construction, and the mortuary temple was very simple, and the design of a rectangle.

 The entrance to the staircase and a ramp in the southeast. The essence of the temple consists of a lounge open and behind the entrance, where the priests basic essential ritual purification before entering the temple itself, which consists of three rooms.

The most important of these rooms, the room was the largest gift. Origin in the room very dark, almost certainly was a false door, the more likely an integral part of red granite in the Western Wall, although there is evidence that today is found. By a depression in the ground marks the spot where once stood on the altar.
    It is likely that close to two sides of the camera, which was held in the origin of the ship had the funeral, and perhaps other religious objects.
They also found deposits of the institution through a small hole in the temple, which paves the bull's head, small birds sacrificed for ceremonies related to the establishment of the temple and pottery minimized icon, along gray clay to seal the vessels.

I really do not know with certainty that the original building of the temple is small. Near the temple are the original clay seals engraved with the name of Horus, Sekhemkhau, Shepseskare may belong to the king, which may be a successor Neferefre (or earlier). If, however, probably spent only a few months at most, perhaps only for a few weeks.
 
We know that Niuserre, Neferefre brother probably shortly after he became king, and met a number of difficult tasks. Fortunately, he will govern Egypt for more than thirty years, because it addresses not only the complete, at least temporarily, at the tomb of his brother Neferefre, but also those of his father and mother Neferirkara Khentkau II.

 
There is no doubt that the show was Niuserre improvisation and originality, and extended and modified, primarily in the design of the funerary temple of the previous phase. The result was a huge burial complex of unique architecture, and design concept has no parallel among the other temple pyramids. Now was the name of "the divine souls are Neferefre.
 
Now, this great temple, built almost entirely of mud brick and rectangular in shape, stretching along the eastern side of the pyramid is not over yet. Albeit less durable than the stone and mud brick, are less expensive and the building, which took less time.

Entrance to this new structure is through the gallery with two of the four pillars of limestone came from a lotus and is located right in the middle of the eastern facade.

     In the middle of this addition, between the entrance hall and view the largest temple columns were, in addition to access to the region, which we believe has been stored five annexes.





This agreement was one as the other pyramids of the structure has provided a room entrance, an open field, and perhaps a sanctuary with five of the niches and statues for the worship of Pharaoh in this space.

 After the damage caused by accidental fire slightly in the western part of the temple, and two wooden boats were rites of worship and was buried with sand sprinkled in one of these cameras.

There was a group of ten, and two magazines for the storage of the date in the northern section with five units each arranged on both sides of the aisle. This number of units was not an accident, and it is still the temple priesthood is divided into five groups phylai.
 
     There are a large number of papyri were found in these magazines from the north. In addition to fragments, which were also somewhat ambiguous chips tables and ornaments found in China and these rooms.
 
    Fried disks was decorated images of gods and Pharaoh, accompanied by hieroglyphic inscriptions that were included with white paste and covered with a thin layer of gold leaf. At the outset, they may be intended to adorn ritual objects and wooden boxes for the entire worship team.

    Ceramics and jewelry, on the other hand, may be of great symbolic decorated wooden ships used in temple ceremonies. Daily and ceremonial pottery, stones and knives, blades and bowls made of alabaster and diorite, Gabbro (a type of volcanic rock), slate, limestone, basalt, together with other remains were also discovered in warehouses.

    There were also clay seals inscribed with the emergence of the seal cylinder. It is of immense value since the start of the recording of some information that was found in the stores, which was responsible for it and what is necessary to obtain or release. Results Neferefre temple has more than doubled the number of seals dating back to the era of the Old Kingdom. It allows archaeologists to reconstruct with some accuracy in the administration, and economic relations, and the method of accounting and many other aspects of historical significance.
 
In the southern part of the addition consists of one room, from east to west, with 20 wooden columns, six came from the Lotus (although none of them have survived). We believe they are of wood, then covered with a thin layer of plaster.

    Hall columns were rectangular in shape in the design and divided by four lines of five columns, aligned in the same direction as the East and West. This colorful wooden beams to support the flat roof at a height of about four meters.

    Although nothing remains on the surface, or colored plaster remains discovered in the clay soils of the room is evidence that the roof may have been painted blue and decorated with gold stars. This was the first hall of columns we know at the time of the builders of the pyramids. The room may serve as a religious function to which we are aware.
 
The room was on the parts of the statues Neferefre, made of diorite, basalt, limestone, quartz and reddish wood and personalities from the wood of the enemies in families, among other things of worship. Among the six statues of relatively complete, although most of the Neferefre broken statues.
 
    The most beautiful of these, the lowest level in almost 35 centimeters, was one of the statue of limestone and pink discovered in fragments and incomplete. Provided the young pharaoh seated on a throne and a scepter, or hedj, the slogan of the ruling authority in the chest. King's head was adorned with the snake from the back and protected by the outstretched wings of Horus, the falcon god.


More than a stone statue was about 80 inches high, although the statue is the largest of all the life-size wood, but only fragments extracted from it. All statues in the end, ideal for presentation of the material used and the actual representation of Pharaoh.


    Now on permanent display in the Egyptian Museum of Antiquities in Cairo, the third largest collection of ancient statues of the owner.

 
Small statues of wood in Egypt enemies, including Asians, Nubians and Libyans, he knelt with his hands tied behind their backs. This might be statues had originally belonged to the royal throne, or vessels, which stands a statue of the pharaoh. Captured enemies knees before the Pharaoh is the real reason relied completely on the concept of the Pharaohs in ancient Egypt and the ability to maintain order in the universe.

To the south-east of the funerary temple and found another surprise. Although the name "Shrine of the knife" was known from contemporary written sources and archaeological evidence has been lacking.

    Here, however, for the first time, discovered the slaughterhouse for the slaughter of animals. Built in two phases, has a rectangular shape, oriented north and south with the plan of rounded corners. There was a relatively wide entrance from the north, where animals, mainly cattle and goats, but also wild deer, and others were transferred to the region. In the northwestern part of the slaughterhouse, animals, it would have been killed by flint knives.

There were not cameras in the northeast corner of the area that will meet even cut a block of wood.

    The rest is "a haven for a knife" The storage rooms. And handed over to the top of the slaughterhouse also indicates that the balcony was a purpose. Here, have been dried meat.
Slaughterhouse was unexpectedly large.

 However, written evidence in the papyrus fragment explains, to mark the tenth day religious ceremony bulls and killed thirteen day to meet the requirements for the worship of the funeral, which clearly demonstrates the large number of persons directly or indirectly in Neferefre worship. This use is largely non-productive people and resources and can also help explain why economic decline and social policy in ancient Egypt in the late Old Kingdom.

Slaughterhouse in fact does not only serve its intended purpose for a short period of time. Even in the era of Niuserre, when the eastward expansion Neferefre mortuary temple of worship and then re-organization and the supply of meat for the table of the Pharaoh was secured on the outside. At that time, "sanctuary knife" has become just a large storage facility.

The final phase of the building in the development of the entrance of the temple consists of a large and significant new Baptist patio, and when you purchased the property "T". At this point, the slaughterhouse and became part of the temple. The entrance to a huge fall in the center of the east and west of the tomb complex, just like before. Roof was also supported by a few stems of the six columns of fine white limestone, but this time on a package of papyrus stalks.

    Of course, such as the lotus and papyrus also had a significant meaning to the ancient Egyptian symbol of resurrection, eternal life and lasting prosperity.
In the backyard affected by religious beliefs, and became an important place of worship the royal burial. Governance-oriented to the West, and was rectangular in shape, around the sides, the flat wooden deck supported by 24 columns.
 
    Although none of the columns has survived, and the circular footprint of the axes of the rules of limestone a few suggest that the pillars are made of wood, which may resemble palm trees, a symbol of ancient Egyptian fertility, abundance and peace.
Remains the subject of any trace of decoration that adorn the walls of the courtyard, or massacres, or perhaps alabaster stone, presumably in the north-western side of the courtyard and made presentations.
 
In the era of Djedkare, and housing for the priests established between the columns, although it keeps alive the worship, the presence of residential units within the complex that led to the lowering of the Temple, and the accelerating decline.
    About the beginning of the 6th Dynasty during the reign of Teti, the entrance to the Haram al-Sharif, "the knife", together with all of this part of the complex was always blocked and the end of the same family, in the reign of Pepi II, mortuary cult Neferefre completely dead.
 
Having been restored good order in the Middle Kingdom, funerary rites and ill-treatment, including Neferefre, returned, but only for a short period of time. In the era of the modern state, and the destruction of the complex began in earnest.


Pyramid Facts:
• Height incomplete 7 p.m.
• base of 65.5 m
• slope 64th 30 '
• Dynasty 5
• Pyramids Satellite (0)
• Queens Pyramids (0)