The Pyramid of Unas: Magical Sacred Inscriptions

The Pyramid of Unas, an ancient Egyptian marvel, holds the secrets of the Fifth Dynasty. Discover its mysterious hieroglyphic symbols and their eternal importance in the annals of history.

Rising from the golden sands near Saqqara, the Pyramid of Unas is an exceptional creation of magnificent allure and grandeur, where an essential part of culture, history and art will appear before your eyes. This smooth pyramid of Unas was known as “Nefer Asut Unas” which means beautiful places of Unas.

It was built by Pharaoh Unas, the last king of the Fifth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom of Egypt (2575-2150 BC), as the smallest pyramid, which will reveal a number of fascinating tales and facts.

The Pyramid of Unas is of great importance in addition to containing pyramid texts, which are a form of protection talisman that later turned into the funerary text in the Middle Kingdom of Egypt and the Book of the Dead in the New Kingdom of Egypt. This archaeological gem is filled with a wealth of excellent knowledge about the afterlife journey of royal rulers, the power of the gods and mythological artifacts, as well as the stunning construction of the time period.

Pyramid Of Unas History

The Pyramid of Unas was built in the 24th century BC for Pharaoh Unas, who was the ninth and last ruler of the Fifth Dynasty. pyramid of unas is best known as the smallest pyramid of the Old Kingdom (2700-2200 BC) but holds significance because it houses the first known Pyramid Texts, which are essentially incantations inscribed to protect the king in the afterlife on the walls of his subterranean chamber.

Unas placed his pyramid in a strategic location north of Saqqara, between the great complexes of Djoser and Sekhmet connected by an elaborately decorated bridge built over difficult terrain. Starting from the Valley Temple, the bridge reused ancient structures and tombs, including those of the Second Dynasty, creating a historic trail.

The site later hosted burials from the Fifth Dynasty to the Twentieth Dynasty and the “Persian Tombs,” an archaeological collection from the Late Period.

The bridge connects the Valley Temple to the mortuary temple on the eastern side of the pyramid, and is entered through a granite doorway that may have been made by Teti Unas’s successor. Next to the bridge were boat pits, possibly holding the solar barque of the sun god Ra.

The mortuary temple, which resembles the design of Djedkare Isisi, includes an inner temple with a ruined antechamber containing a unique quartzite column associated with sun worship due to its color. Quartzite is an unusual choice for a building material that possesses symbolic significance.

The pyramid’s underground chambers were discovered in 1881, revealing 283 amulets that make up the smallest, oldest, and best-preserved collection of religious writings in the Old Kingdom. The Pyramid Texts, discovered by Gaston Maspero, are intended to guide the pharaoh to eternal life and provide the ultimate means of survival.

Many Egyptologists insist on the continuity of this cult, and some suggest that it may have ended the First Intermediate Period or was revived in the Middle Kingdom. Between 1999 and 2001, the Supreme Council of Antiquities conducted a series of restoration and reconstruction projects in the Valley Temple, in addition to restoring a number of slopes and the three entrances.

Pyramid of Unas Location & How to Get

The Pyramid of Unas was found in the Saqqara necropolis, part of the Necropolis of Memphis, and is located on the line that runs between the Pyramid of Menkahor and the Pyramid of Sekhemkhet.

The site where the pyramid of unas was erected has an exceptionally long bridge leading to a nearby lake. To get there, you can travel from Cairo to Saqqara, a journey of about 30 kilometers, or simply hire a travel agency that will take you to this epic wonder.

Who is King Unas

Unas was the ninth and last pharaoh of the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt during the Old Kingdom (2345-2315 BC) and ruled for 15 to 30 years after Djedkare Isis. His reign coincided with economic decline, characterized by decentralized administration and weak royal authority, which contributed to the ultimate collapse of the Old Kingdom two centuries later.

Unas left a remarkable legacy with his pyramid at Saqqara, the smallest of its kind from the Old Kingdom. The accompanying funerary complex boasted lavish decoration, including painted reliefs of high quality and variety, going beyond typical royal iconography. Unas pioneered an important innovation with the Pyramid Texts, linking King Ra and Osiris, carved and painted on the walls of the chamber to aid in the afterlife journey.

Unas is believed to have been involved in trade deals with the Levantine coast and Nubia, with possible military operations in southern Canaan. His reign was a continuation of the decline of the Old Kingdom, characterized by administrative growth and a decline in royal power.

Unas had several daughters and perhaps one or two sons. Unas’ death signaled the end of the Fifth Dynasty. He was succeeded by Teti, the first pharaoh of the Sixth Dynasty, although archaeological evidence indicates a smooth transition between the two dynasties.

The funerary cult established at Unas’ death continued until the end of the Old Kingdom, and probably survived into the chaotic First Intermediate Period. Although later pharaohs partially dismantled the burial complex of Unas, his cult continued in the Middle Kingdom. Unas was probably venerated locally as a god at Saqqara for centuries, continuing into the Late Period, about 2,000 years after his death.

The Architecture of the Pyramid of Unas

The Pyramid of Unas is located southwest of Djoser’s funerary complex, north of the Step Pyramid of Saqqara. The Pyramid of Unas is a modest pile of loose blocks 43 meters high and at an inclination of 56 degrees. The king’s burial chamber has an area of ​​57.8 meters.

The Pyramid of Unas was built in a similar way to the Pyramid of Djedkare. It is decorated with a ceiling decorated with stars and walls lined with white alabaster inscribed with charming hieroglyphs, which are known to be the oldest example of funerary inscriptions. The core of the building consists of piled blocks covered by a smooth limestone shell. Unfortunately, the pyramid fell into disrepair during the New Kingdom (1570-1050 BC).

The Contents of the Pyramid of Unas Complex 

The Unas Pyramid Complex was found in the southwest corner of the Djoser complex at Saqqara, and displays the substantial components of funerary complexes dating back to the Old Kingdom. The design includes a valley temple at the mouth of the valley, a bridge built along the course of the valley, a mortuary temple next to the Djedkar Isesi design, a cult pyramid south of the mortuary temple, and the main pyramid. It was surrounded by a wall 7 meters high. The complex extends 86 meters from northeast to northwest and 76 meters from north to south.

Main Pyramid

Although Unas’ rule lasted from 30 to 33 years, his pyramid, the smallest in the Old Kingdom, reflects resource constraints rather than time constraints. To avoid large-scale quarrying, Unas kept the pyramid small, constructing it in six steps using locally sourced limestone blocks and capped with fine white limestone.

The intact casing can Still be seen in the lowest steps today, revealing the original grandeur. The dimensions of the pyramid include a base length of 57.75 meters, converging to the top at an angle of 56 degrees, resulting in a height of 43 meters when completed. Unfortunately, like other Fifth Dynasty pyramids, pyramid of Unas was destroyed due to poor construction methods and weak materials. During the New Kingdom, the pyramids were systematically dismantled to build new tombs.

Breaking with tradition, Ounas chose not to build the pyramids for his comrades. Instead, Queens Nebet and Khenut were buried in a double mastaba located in the northeastern section of the main pyramid. Although the tomb layouts were identical, each queen had separate rooms and entrances. The ornate rooms highlighted their individuality. The Mastaba Church of Nebet, which contains the Unas cartouche, probably contained a statue of a king, while statues of the queen adorned the other statues. On the north side of the mastaba, on the west side of Djoser’s complex, tombs belonging to Unasankh, son of Onas, and his daughter, Iput, as well as a daughter named Hemetre, were buried.

Substructure

The infrastructure of the Pyramid of Unas includes a northern chapel, a vertical corridor leading to a vestibule, a horizontal corridor guarded by granite portals, an antechamber, a crypt with alcoves, and a burial chamber with a gabled roof. Unas’s coffin, made of jiriwak, was found near the western wall of the burial chamber. The walls of the burial chamber were decorated with white marble, which represented the doors of the royal palace, allowing the king to leave in any direction.

The blue-painted ceilings of the burial chamber and anteroom, decorated with gold stars, mimicked the night sky. Traces of Unas’s mummy and artefacts, including a canopic box, were discovered with fragments of the mummy on display at the Egyptian museum in Cairo. The walls of the chambers feature written texts in a vertical arrangement, carved in relief, and painted in blue, providing a fascinating glimpse into ancient Egyptian burial practices and building techniques.

Pyramid Of Unas Texts & Incantations

The hieroglyphics mentioned above are among the earliest examples of funerary inscriptions now known as the Pyramid Texts (later compiled into the Egyptian Book of the Dead). Hieroglyphics cover the walls of a number of Saqqara pyramids, and are “talismans” to protect the soul of the deceased. Of the 283 separate phrases in Unas’ tomb, most are prayers, hymns, and lists of things, such as food and clothing, that the pharaoh would need in the afterlife.

The 750-meter-long bridge extending from the eastern side of the Pyramid of Unas to the Valley Temple (now marked by little more than two stone columns on the side of the road leading to the site) was roofed and decorated with a large dome. A collection of painted relief scenes, including a striking image of starving people, believed to be due to the famine during the reign of Unas. Part of the inscription is on display in the Imhotep Museum.

The two 45-metre-long boat pits at Unas are located just south of the bridge, while on either side of the bridge are numerous tombs – more than 200 of which have been excavated. Among the many better-preserved examples usually open to visitors are the tombs of one of Unas’s queens, Nebet, and the tombs of Princess Idut, who may have been his daughter. There are also several brightly colored tombs of prominent officials from the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties.

These include the tomb of Mehu, the royal vizier (Minister), and the tomb of Nefer, the supervisor of the singers.

Many beautiful tombs have been excavated in the area east of the Pyramid of Unas. Although not quite as famous as the tombs north of the Step Pyramid, this group includes a number of interesting pharaonic attendees. These include the joint tomb of Nyankhkhnum and Khnumhotep, supervisors of the royal manicurists of Pharaoh Nyuserra; The tomb of Neferhereneptah, the supervisor of the royal barbers; And the tomb of Irkaptah, supervisor of the royal butchers.

Around the sides of the Pyramid of Unas are several large columned tombs that were built later, in the Sawi period (664-525 BC) and the Persian period (525-404 BC).

These are some of the deepest tombs in Egypt, although precautions against grave robbers have failed, as elsewhere in the country. However, the sheer size of the tombs and the large stone sarcophagi within them, as well as their sophisticated decoration, indicate that the artistic achievements of the latter part of ancient Egyptian history were equal to those of earlier eras.

Conclusion: why You Should Explore the Wonders of the Pyramid of Unas for a Deeper Understanding of Ancient Civilization 

The Egyptian Pyramid Texts are incantations and prayers carved into the inner walls of the pyramids. The oldest example of pyramid script is found in the pyramid of Unas, the last pharaoh of the Fifth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. Lines of text were to be read aloud, so they were referred to as “sayings.” Priests read ritual sayings during the burial ceremony. Personal sayings were to be read by the souls of the dead to ensure their safe passage into the afterlife.

The Pyramid of Unas FAQS

What is special about the pyramid of Unas?

Despite its size, this pyramid is of great importance because it contains the first example of funerary texts known as the Pyramid Texts.

Who is Unas in Pyramid Texts?

According to later king lists, Unas was the last ruler of the Fifth Dynasty, but innovations in his pyramid complex and the use of blocks of his predecessor’s relics in his pyramid have led some to regard him as the founder of the Sixth Dynasty (c. 2305–2118 BC), or at least a transitional ruler.

What did Unas do for Egypt?

Furthermore, Unas was the first pharaoh to carve and paint pyramid texts on the walls of his pyramid chambers, a major innovation followed by his successors until the First Intermediate Period (c. 2160 – c. 2050 BC).

What is the most important pyramid in Egypt?

The Great Pyramid at Giza

The largest and most famous of the pyramids, the Great Pyramid of Giza, was built by order of Sneferu’s son, Khufu, also known as Khufu, the later Greek form of his name. The base of the pyramid covers an area of ​​13 acres, its sides rise at an angle of 51 degrees and 52 minutes, and its length is more than 755 feet.

What did the Pyramid Texts say?

The Pyramid Texts tell the story of a dead pharaoh’s journeys into the afterlife. The text used similes and metaphors to explain how the soul left the world of humans and moved to the world of the gods.

What was the purpose of the Pyramid Texts?

The Pyramid Texts included incantations and prayers to ensure that the soul of the dead pharaoh would move safely to the afterlife. Prayers asked for the support of the gods to help the soul in its journeys.