Ministry of Culture
Supreme Council of Antiquities
Secretary General Office

Pyramid Discovered at Abu Rowash

The Swiss/ French mission in cooperation with the Supreme Council of Antiquities (SCA) discovered a pyramid in April 2002, at the site of Abu Rowash dated to the reign of Djedefre.

The excavation of the 8^th mission started at the southeast section of the King Djedefre’s royal pyramid complex at Abu Rowash. This site is located to the south of the boat pit that was discovered by E. Chassinat and it has never been excavated before.

During the excavation the team discovered the enclosure wall that went from the north to the south until stopping at the southeast angle. We found that this wall continued to the west. The general design of this wall showed us a small area on the south side of the enclosure wall where we discovered a building that was completely unknown. After cleaning the area we found that this building was a satellite pyramid. The base of the pyramid is approximately 20 arms long on each side and is five courses tall. It only appears from the south side. It is approximately 1.60 - 2.00 meters high. This pyramid it is located approximately 10 arms from the south east angle of the pyramid of King Djedefre. The newly discovered pyramid is situated at the exact angles and layout as the pyramid of Djedefre. In the middle of the north façade of the newly discovered pyramid we found a shaft that is approximately four arms deep. (H. 1.50 m. L. 1.50 m.)

In the rubble of this shaft we found a large block that was used to seal the sub-structure of the pyramid. We discovered a corridor in the sub-structure that went from the north to the south. Connected to this corridor is one entrance to a chamber on the east side and two entrances to two chambers on the west side.

Artifacts discovered inside the pyramid

• Some tiles that are similar to the tiles used for decoration in the southern tomb of Djoser at the Step Pyramid in Saqqara.

• A large Egyptian alabaster vessel. It is in excellent condition and complete. It has a beautiful circular neck. (H. 36 cm. Diameter. 19 cm.) We found the lid of the vessel. (Diameter. 11cm.)

• Fragments of a large Egyptian Alabaster plate with the inscription: hr md ddw hwfw. This is the horus name of King Khufu, builder of the Great Pyramid.

• Many pottery fragments from water vessels. (Diameter. 25 cm.)

• Two Egyptian Alabaster lids possibly from canopic jars. (Diameter. 12 cm. & 14 cm.)

MORE on this great discovery to follow....