Beyond the iconic Pyramids of Giza, there are other pyramid structures that still hold unsolved enigmas. One of these is the unfinished pyramid of Zawyet El Aryan, also known as Pyramid XIII in Lepsius’ list, which stands as an impressive work of architecture.
In the early 20th century, the Italian archaeologist Alessandro Barsanti (1858-1917) discovered the remains of a pyramid, which was never completed, located about five kilometres southeast of Giza and seven kilometres from the necropolis of Saqqara. Its construction is estimated to have begun during the Third Dynasty, around 2700-2600 BC.
Its base is 110 metres wide by 180 metres long, and some of its blocks bear the cartouche of Neferkara or Nebkara, a pharaoh of the 3rd Dynasty who reigned approximately 4,500 years ago. However, other sources suggest that it may have belonged to Bakka, a 4th Dynasty pharaoh who ruled between 2435 and 2430 BC.
Alessandro Barsanti
In his original report, written in French, Barsanti described underground corridors, a chamber and a curious oval-shaped vessel, similar to another found in the Djedefre complex at Abu Rawash. Barsanti was surprised by the way this vessel was sealed and protected, and even thought it was a sarcophagus. Despite the quality of the stonework in the descending shaft and in the room below, the find was forgotten and received no further attention.
Inside the burial chamber and on the descending staircase, inscriptions in black and red ink can be seen, but their interpretation is complicated. Barsanti did not make tracings of the inscriptions, but hand drawings that make them difficult to read. Although the hieroglyphic sign Ka is legible, the first symbol is illegible, which has led to various interpretations, from Nebka to Seth-Ka, leaving an intriguing mystery.
During Barsanti’s excavations, archaeologists were surprised to see how a trench filled with rainwater drained rapidly, reaching almost a metre in depth. This led to speculation that there might be a hidden passage or chamber underneath.
A film location
In 1954, the site was excavated again to be used as the setting for the film ‘Land of the Pharaohs’, directed by Howard Hawks, which portrayed the construction of the great pyramids with thousands of slaves, a depiction that is now considered obsolete.
Unfortunately, in 1964, the complex was declared a restricted military zone, which has prevented any excavation since then.
Alessandro Barsanti, an Italian architect and Egyptologist who worked for the Egyptian Antiquities Service, carried out excavations throughout Egypt, most notably ‘discovering’ the tomb of Akhenaten between 1891 and 1892. He was also responsible for moving the Cairo Museum’s collection from Giza to its present location in the city.
In the 19th century, the French Egyptologist Gaston Maspero noted the perfection of the cuts and joints of the stones, the exceptional finish of the granite sarcophagus, the boldness of the structure and the impressive height of the walls, making Pyramid XIII a true challenge of ancient engineering.
Among Maspero’s most important achievements in Egypt were the recording of numerous scenes and inscriptions in the Valley of the Kings, the transfer to Cairo of the mummies found at Deir el-Bahari, the cataloguing of the vast collection in the Cairo museum and the opening of three smaller pyramids in the Memphis area, which contained inscriptions that form part of the well-known Pyramid Texts.
Ushebti
Excavated by Gaston Maspero and his restorer Allesandro Barsanti near the pyramid of Unas at Saqqara around 1890, we find this blue glazed faience ushebti from Padj-Horem-Hab. The figure is in the form of a mummy with a smooth three-part wig, his hands are crossed on his chest, and he carries a basket of seeds and a hand plough. This ushabti, characterised by its very delicate facial features and hieroglyphs, has a beautiful saitic smile. His vertical hieroglyphic inscription on the body reads: ‘Padj-horem-hab (General) born of Bastet-herti’.
