The final full pyramid complex of King Pepi II

For centuries, the Pyramid of King Pepi II has lain in southern Saqqara, neighboring the Mastabat al-Fir'aun. This majestic mausoleum stands as a significant site in Egypt's history. It was the last full pyramid complex erected in Ancient Egypt, serving as the final tomb for King Pepi II.

The pyramid is connected to a sprawling complex featuring three queen's pyramids, a valley temple, and a mortuary temple, all linked by a 400-meter-long covered causeway. The valley temple is unique for this type of structure; it sat on a massive quay extending more than 150 m (490 ft) in length, which once dominated a large harbour linked to Memphis by a canal.

The temple yielded a single entrance on its backside. Two side ramps led up to a terrace, bounded by a temple facade on three sides that stretched the entire length of the quay and ended in two wings at the northern and southern ends, each equipped with stairways. The mortuary temple bore an entrance hall flanked by two small annexes, and a large corridor opening onto a massive ceremonial court.

The court showcased a peristyle with eighteen quartzite pillars, each adorned with a representation of the king accompanied by a god and inscribed with royal protocol. The magazines bordering the courtyard could only be accessed by a long corridor at the eastern end. The inner part of the mortuary temple housed five cult chapels, while the Ka pyramid, standing 12 m (39 ft) high, lay within the pyramid enclosure. Many fragments of the temple decoration have been recovered, showing the king receiving offerings, leading hunts, and depictions of the god Min and the heb-sed festival.

The superstructure of the pyramid was once composed of six steps, each formed of a masonry formwork of local limestone held in place with mortar and filled with rubble of the same limestone. The Pyramid of King Pepi II was a little over 52 m (171 ft) high, and each side was over 78 m (256 ft) long.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons