Pyramid of Djedkare

The site chosen for the pyramid of king Djedkare-Isesi is located close to the mastaba of king Shepseskaf at South Saqqara. Like that of many other 5th Dynasty kings, the pyramid of Djedkare-Isesi had a stepped core with a smooth outer casing. Inside, a corridor clad with granite descended from the north to a chamber lined with limestone. After this, a further, horizontal corridor passed by three portcullises before entering the antechamber, located beneath the apex of the pyramid. The burial chamber, in which fragments were found of a sunk basalt sarcophagus, was to the west of this chamber, whereas a tripartite magazine was located to the east. The burial chamber featured a saddle roof consisting of three layers of massive limestone beams. The mortuary complex outside was accessible by means of a valley temple and causeway, most of which is now located under the modern village of Saqqara. The causeway entered the mortuary temple between two massive pylons. A long entrance hall led on to a court, surrounded by granite columns and paved with alabaster, which was flanked by sets of magazines. Beyond the long and narrow transverse hall lay the inner apartments of the temple, a chamber with five cult niches followed by a square vestibule and the offering chapel itself, also surrounded by magazines. Apart from the usual satellite pyramid, the complex also featured a small pyramid complex at the northeastern corner of the enclosure. This is usually referred to as the queen's pyramid, though some have suggested that the architectural and spatial elements of the complex, typical of the funerary complexes of kings, may indicate that this complex had a special, religious function. It could be that it was a successor to the solar temples of the early 5th Dynasty at Abusir.

The factfiles below are based on M. Lehner's 'The Complete Pyramids', London, 1997 and P.A. Clayton's 'Chronicle of the Pharaohs', London, 1994.

Pyramid						Djedkare Isesi
Pharaoh	:	Djedkare Isesi				Throne name	:	Djed-ka-re ('The soul of Re Endureth')
Dynasty	:	5				Birth name	:	Isesi
Location	:	South Saqqara
Ancient name	:	'Beautiful is Isesi'				Father	:	?
						Mother	:	?
Base	:	78.75 m				Wife	:	?
Height	:	c. 52.5 m				Son(s)	:	?
Volume (cu.m)	:	c. 107.835				Daughter(s)	:	?
						Burial	:	Pyramid, South Saqqara