Buried Pyramid
| Step Pyramid of Sekhemkhet (Buried Pyramid) | |
|---|---|
The unfinished pyramid in 2001 | |
Interactive map of Step Pyramid of Sekhemkhet (Buried Pyramid) | |
| Sekhemkhet, 3rd Dynasty | |
| Coordinates | 29°51′58″N 31°12′47″E / 29.866°N 31.213°E |
| Constructed | c. 2645 BC |
| Type | Unfinished step pyramid |
| Material | Limestone |
| Height |
|
| Base | 115 metres (377 ft) |
| Slope | 50°36' (estimated) |
The Step Pyramid of Sekhemkhet (Buried Pyramid) is an unfinished seven-step pyramid constructed c. 2645 BC for Sekhemkhet. He was the second king of the Third Dynasty of Ancient Egypt, which reigned over Egypt c. 2686–2613 BC and is usually placed at the beginning of the Old Kingdom of Egypt. Many historians believe that the third dynasty played an important role in the transition from Early Dynastic Period of Egypt to the Age of the Pyramids.
The pyramid may be visited, but the public is not allowed access to the base and substructures.
Sekhemkhet Djoserty was also the successor to the better-known pharaoh Netjerikhet Djoser, who was buried in his famous step pyramid at Saqqara. The buried pyramid was originally modelled after Djoser's step pyramid and is located several hundred metres southwest. It is also arguable that the pyramid of Sekhemkhet was originally designed to surpass the step pyramid of Djoser but barely made it above ground level and hence was given the name the Buried Pyramid. Its incompletion is thought to have been due to Sekhemkhet's short reign as ruler, which was approximately six years.