The area of the Saqqara necropolis is usually divided up into one northern and one southern part. The southern part encompasses the pyramids of Pepi I, Pepi II, Djedkare, Merenre, Shepseskaf and Ibi. In the northern part we find, first the Step Pyramid Complex of Djoser, and directly south of the enclosure wall, the pyramid of Unas and the pyramid complex of Sekhemkhet as well as several other tombs.
A bit more to the south of these brings us to what is called the southern part of the Saqqara area and a New Kingdom necropolis with the tombs of Maya, Ramose, Horemheb and Tiya. Beyond them lies the pyramids of Pepi I, II, Merenre, Djedkare and Shepsekaf. In the distance, even further south, the red pyramid of Dashur can be seen through the haze. But for now, let´s concentrate on the northern part.
The Pyramid of Unas, 5th Dynasty
Unas (Unis, Wenis) ruled for thirty years but not much more is known about him. He was the last king of his dynasty. His name, Wadj-tawy meaning "Horus, the flourishing one of the Two Lands" appears at Elephantine and at some alabaster vessels at Byblos. He built his pyramid between the Djoser Complex and the Sekhemkhet Complex.
The pyramid of Unas was called The most Beautiful of Places, nefer sewet and is well known for the fact that it was here that the very first Pyramid Texts were inscribed. Nowadays tourists are not allowed to enter and the whole structure looks rather like a crumbled heap.
The Pyramid Texts
These are the earliest and biggest collection of religious texts which outline the development of religious thought since the predynastic times. The texts were inscribed on the walls of the tomb in order to give the deceased King those texts to recite which would enable him to gain eternal life in the Afterworld. Parts of them are created long before the time of Unas. They can nowadays be seen in the Pyramid of Teti, to the north of the Djoser Complex.
Originally the Unas Complex consisted of a pyramid tomb with a small satellite pyramid and a causeway 700 m long, leading to a valley temple. The pyramid itself had an entrance hall and a hall with columns and a mortuary temple.
The Mortuary Temple
The Mortuary Temple was completed by his successor, Teti. Unas had it placed directly over the 3nd Dynasty substructure ofthe tomb of Hetepsekhemwy. On both sides of its entrance corridor were magazines. The inner temple had niches for statues and a sanctuary. An interesting feature is that in the 1940´s an inscription was found in pieces on the grounds. It was restored and showed itself to be from the 19th Dynasty. The inscription said that the pyramid of Unas had been restored by Khaemwaset, high priest at Memphis and son of Ramesses II. It was then replaced high up on the pyramid.
The Causeway
The causeway was originally decorated with scenes depicting events in the reign of Unas. Though very fragmentary today, they differ from other such scenes in that they were presented in a non-stereotype and rather novel manner. Here are scenes of agriculture, hunting and battle scenes, metalworking and transportation of stones from Aswan as well as a scene with victims of famine. The causeway doesn´t run straight, it bends twice to the south, perhaps to make allowances for ground conditions, and it was built over several mastabas. At the uppermost bend, two boatpits, both 45 m long was discovered immediately to the south. Much material from the causeway has been used in other structures in the area and even the underpaving of it consists partly of older material, namely from the Djoser complex, which points at that already by the 5th Dynasty, that complex had fallen into decay. The causeway has recently undergone restoration and you can now walk from the valley temple along the causeway to the pyramid.
The Valley Temple
The Valley temple was terraced and built near a lake to the southeast of the main pyramid. It was once a huge building accessible through a ramp which lead in to a columned court. Some granite colums decorated with palm fronds still remain, which tell of a highly developed workmanship. Behind a passage you come to a traverse room, and behind this one, a second traverse room to the south. To the north is a room with two columns and in the northwest there is a third room which is connected to the causeway. A fourth room with three niches and some magazines lies to the south of this. Today it is much ruined but originally it was located by a basin and a quay. Excavations in the 70´s yielded a sarcophagus on one of the terraces with a mummy of an old man. On his golden belt was an inscription saying: 'King´s son Ptashepses'. The temple was however completed and inscribed by Teti, the successor of Unas.
Mastabas of Nebet and Khenet
There are several mastabas to the immediate north and east of the Pyramid of Unas. One in particular is a double mastaba, the two parts built in the same way, pointing at the equal status of the inhabitants. These belong to two women, Nebet and Khenut, which were related to Unas. These are possibly his wifes though for the most queens were buried within the pyramid complex itself. Nebet is believed to be the mother of Wenisakh, a prince, then probably son of Unas and her mastaba, which is well preserved, has reliefs with harem scenes. The mastaba of Khenet is ruined. That they were buried outside of the pyramid complex indicates that the relationship with Unas isn´t totally clear.
Mastaba of Idut
There is also a mastaba for Sesheset Idut who is thought to be a daughter of Unas. The tomb was orginally belonging to a vizier Ihy, but was later changed to become the tomb of Princess Idut. This one has several chambers and the reliefs are in good condition. In the second chamber are reliefs of hippo hunting and in others are scenes of offering. There are also scenes with scribes checking the estate accounts, beside sit village headmen. Agricultural scenes and papyrus harvesting are here, along with cattle crossing a canal with men in papyrus boats.
Other tombs
In the area from the pyramid of Unas and along the causeway many other tombs and mastabas have been found. These are from the period before Unas, rather small and dug out from the rock. Their decorations are well-preserved with original colors and their owners were people who lived at court, not nobles, but holding positions as officials, craftsmen, royal hairdressers and manicurists. They will be the target for another article.
This completes the tombs and structures which relate to Unas.
The Pyramid Complex of Sekhemkhet
Sekhemkhet (Powerful in Body) was the successor of Djoser in the 3rd Dynasty. He had a short reign, only 6 years, according to the Turin King-list. His funerary complex, wich was found as late as in the 1950´s, to the immediate southwest of the Djoser Complex, was never finished. Had it been, it would probably have been at least as big as the Djoser Complex. It is simpler than Djoser´s but there is an enclosure wall, a step pyramid and a south tomb. On the north side of it the name of Imhotep is mentioned, perhaps he was the architect of this complex too. On this side was also a rock-cut trench which led down to an entrance and a sealed doorway. Once the passage was cleared of rubble and debris, there was found a cache with 21 bracelets and armlets of gold, a hollow tube of gold and a very fine small gold box. All of it was probably in a wooden container which since has disappeared. After clearing the passage, a large burial room was encountered. It was unfinished but in the middle was an alabaster sarcophagus, which was sealed and never used. When it was opened three years later, much to the astonishment of the present scholars, it was empty. The tomb showed no traces of having been robbed so it is believed that the king must have been buried elsewhere. There are many passages still to be examined.
Not much more is known about Sekhemkhet except for a relief in Sinai, Wadi Maghara, which depicts him three times; one with the Red Crown, another with the White Crown and the third one shows him with raised mace, ready to smite an enemy. Showing the king smiting enemies was a usual scene which had begun already in the 1st Dynasty and this is one in a long row so we cannot deduct anything special from it.
The Great Enclosure
To the west of the Complex of Sekhemkhet is another rectangular structure, some 600 x 300 m, called The Great Eclosure, or Gisr el-Mudir. This is a mysterious structure as it is a complete rectangle with no trace of a tomb or pyramid inside. For some time it was believed that this was a burial complex for another 3rd Dynasty king. Now the theory is that it resembles Shunet ez-Zebib at Abydos, which belonged to KhaseKhemwi, last ruler of the 2nd Dynasty. There are more such structures at Abydos and they are thought to be a copy of the king´s palace, meant for him to use in the Afterlife. It that is true, and if they do resemble the enclosure at Saqqara, then we land in the 2nd Dynasty there too, and the Great Enclosure might be the oldest structure built in stone.
