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List of finds in Egyptian pyramids

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List of finds in the substructures or interiors of Egyptian pyramids that have been explored and still contained notable findings in modern times. An absence of documented finds does not imply nothing was ever found.

Pyramids not listed have either not been located or explored (e.g.: due to flooding or collapse), have no substructure, were fully looted, or contained nothing of note.

Dyn Pyramid names Sarcophagi / Coffins Human remains Canopic jars and chests Wall Decorations Other noteworthy finds, sources
Old Kingdom
3rd Pyramid of Djoser Square granite vault Mummy parts (later burial) Gallery: 3 false doors with faience tiles, inscribed door frames [1][2][3]
Eastern shafts and galleries 2 alabaster sarcophagi, fragments of others Hip bone of a young woman, set of female remains predating Djoser Undecorated Seal impression of Djoser's Horus name, 40,000 stone vessels (primarily Alabaster), most made before Djoser[1][4][3]
3rd Buried Pyramid Alabaster sarcophagus (with side opening) Undecorated Bark and decomposed wood found on top of sarcophagus[5][6]
4th Meidum Pyramid Pieces of wooden coffin Undecorated Cedar logs embedded in masonry[7][8]
4th Bent Pyramid Undecorated Wood plank still holding back blocking stone, cedar logs[7][9]
4th Red Pyramid Fragments of human remains Undecorated [10]
4th Great Pyramid of Giza Granite sarcophagus, lid missing Undecorated Queen's Chamber Air-Shafts: diorite ball, copper "hook", cedar plank

Relieving Chambers: Hieroglyphic graffiti - incl. Khufu's names spelled out multiple times[11][12][13]

Queen's pyramid GI-a Recess for sarcophagus, basalt fragments Pieces of bone Undecorated [14][15]
Queen's pyramid GI-b Broken wood coffins (later burials) 12 or 13 skulls, bones (later burials) Undecorated Bronze armlet, with a piece of brown stone shaped like part of a female hand[14][15]
4th Pyramid of Djedefre Inscribed stone fragments, copper axe blade, worker graffiti including Djedefre's cartouche[16][17]
Queen's pyramid Limestone sarcophagus fragments 2 lids possibly from canopic jars Undecorated Large alabaster vessel, pottery fragments, faience tiles, large Egyptian alabaster plate inscribed with the Horus name of Khufu (Djedefre's father)[18]
4th Pyramid of Khafre Granite sarcophagus with lid Pit for canopic chest Undecorated Bull bones found inside sarcophagus (probably later addition)[14]
Subsidiary pyramid Undecorated Wooden shrine (nah netjer) in niche that had been ritually destroyed.[19]
4th Pyramid of Menkaure Basalt sarcophagus with palace facade;
Later burial: wooden anthropoid coffin inscribed with Menkaure's name
Bones of a woman with pieces of clothing (later burial) Paneled chamber: stylized false door motifs, lintel in reed-mat form [15][20][3][21]
Queen's pyramid GIII-a Granite sarcophagus Undecorated Pieces of pottery[14]
Queen's pyramid GIII-b Granite sarcophagus Jawbone of a young woman, fragments of bones Undecorated Decayed wood, roof slab inscription containing cartouche of Menkaure[14]
5th Pyramid of Userkaf Basalt sarcophagus fragments Undecorated [22]
5th Pyramid of Sahure Basalt sarcophagus fragments Undecorated [23]
5th Pyramid of Khentkaus II Granite sarcophagus fragments Undecorated Mummy wrappings, alabaster pottery[citation needed]
5th Pyramid of Neferefre Granite sarcophagus fragments 6 pieces of mummified remains of a young man (incl. hand, clavicle, fibula) Pieces of 4

canopic jars

Undecorated Alabaster pottery[3]
5th Lepsius XXIV Pyramid Granite sarcophagus fragments Damaged mummy of a young woman Alabaster

canopic jars

Undecorated Remains of burial equipment: models of alabaster vessels.

copper tools used for the ritual of the opening of the mouth ritual

5th? Double Pyramid (east) Scanty remains of a female burial Fragments of limestone, canopic jars Undecorated Model vessels of alabaster, model chisels of copper and shards of pottery.
Double Pyramid (west) Tiny fragments of a female burial Undecorated Remnants of the burial equipment, a model vessel of alabaster, several corroded model vessels

and instruments of copper.

5th Headless Pyramid Broken sarcophagus lid Undecorated [24]
5th Pyramid of Djedkare Isesi Basalt sarcophagus fragments Mummified remains of an old man Niche for canopic chest Undecorated Broken pottery, faience bead on a gold filament[25][3]
5th Pyramid of Unas Greywacke sarcophagus Mummied remains of a human

(incl. right arm, skull and shinbone)

Pyramid Texts, rich deorations Wooden handles of two knives[26]
6th Pyramid of Teti Greywacke sarcophagus

with inscriptions on the inside

Mummified remains of a human (incl. arm and shoulder blade) Canopic jar containing

viscera

Pyramid Texts Club heads inscribed with the pharaoh's name[27]
Queen's pyramid of Iput (mastaba transformed to pyramid by Pepi I) Cedar coffin in limestone sarcophagus Iput's intact remains 5 crude canopic jars Pyramid Texts Jewelry on mummy, model vessels of alabaster, pottery and copper, alabaster slabs inscribed with names of sacred oils, model gilded copper tools[28]
6th Pyramid of Pepi I Inscribed black stone sarcophagus Mummy fragment Granite canopic chest, 1 intact alabaster canopic jar and fragments of others, viscera Pyramid Texts Sandal (of Pepi), flint knife, inscribed linen, 2 fragments of a thin gold plate (the body rested on), 2 scraps of a loincloth[29]
Queen's pyramid of Nebuunet Granite sarcophagus fragments Cylindrical wooden weight, wooden ostrich feather, inscribed alabaster tablets
Queen's pyramid of Inenek-Inti Greywacke sarcopagus Pottery
Western pyramid Granite sarcophagus fragments Wooden weights, ostrich feathers, copper fish hooks, fired-clay vessels
Queen's pyramid of Pyramid of Meritites IV Geywacke sarcophagus fragments Queen's titulary on hallway walls Wooden fragments inscribed with formulas of the pyramid texts
Queen's pyramid of Ankhesenpepi II Basalt sarcophagus with inscribed titulary Bone fragments of the arm, leg and foot of adult woman Pyramid Texts
Queen's pyramid of Ankhesenpepi III Sandstone Sarcophagus with Granite Lid, inscribed with name and titulary Bone fragments Palace facade decoration
Queen's pyramid of Behenu Sarcophagus fragments Inscribed and decorated
6th Pyramid of Merenre Basalt sarcophagus with lid and traces of gilding Mummy of young man (possibly later burial) Granite canopic chest with lid Pyramid Texts 2 alabaster vessels[30]
6th Pyramid of Pepi II Greywacke sarcophagus with lid, inscribed with Pepi II's titulary Granite canopic chest lid, niche for chest Pyramid Texts, niche pattern, false doors topped with King's name Mummy wrappings, fragments of alabaster and diorite vases, golden spatula[31][32]
Queen's pyramid of Neith Granite sarcophagus Granite canopic chest Pyramid Texts, starred ceiling Descending passage: granite false door, burial chamber: miniature (inscribed) bronze tableware, stone vases[33][34]
Queen's pyramid of Neith Fragments of pottery, 3 alabaster vessels[34]
Queen's pyramid of Iput II (and Ankhesenpepi IV) Granite sarcophagus of Queen Ankhesenpepi IV inscribed with Annals of the 6th dynasty Pyramid Texts
Queen's pyramid of Udjebten Pyramid Texts
Dyn Pyramid names Sarcophagi / Coffins Human remains Canopic jars and chests Wall Decorations Other noteworthy finds, sources
First Intermediate Period
8th Pyramid of Qakare Ibi Granite monolith once held sarcophagus Pyramid Texts
Middle Kingdom
11th Pyramid of Reherishefnakht Sarcophagus inscribed with Coffin Texts Pyramid Texts [35]
12th Queen's pyramid 3 of Senusret I Quartzite sarcophagus,

remains of gilded, wooden Coffin

Bone fragments Broken but complete canopic chest Undecorated Deteriorated wooden staff[36]
12th Pyramid of Senusret II Granite sarcophagus Leg bones Undecorated Alabaster offering table inscribed with the pharaoh's name, gold uraeus[37]
12th Pyramid of Senusret III Granite sarcophagus with palace facade Undecorated Pottery vases, broken bronze dagger with ivory handle[38]
Queen's pyramid of Nofrethenut 2 sarcophagi, one inscribed with titulary Undecorated
Queen's pyramid of Itakayt Sarcophagus Canopic chest, two canopic jars Undecorated
12th Pyramid of Amenemhat III (Dashur) Decorated granite sarcophagus Chambers for queens (or daughters): 6 mummies found total Unused canopic chest for the king Undecorated (Substructure was collapsing, pyramid not used for the king)[39]
Burial chamber of Aat Sarcophagus Mummy of Aat Canopic chest, 1 canopic jar Undecorated 2 mace heads, 7 duck-shaped alabaster cases, alabaster unguent jar, pieces of jewelry[39]
Burial chamber of Chenmetneferhedjet Sarcophagus Mummy of Chenmetneferhedjet Undecorated
Burial chamber of unknown queen Undecorated Obsidian vase with gold bands, 3 duck-shaped alabaster vessels, granite and alabaster mace heads, jewelry
12th Pyramid of Amenemhat III (Hawara) Quartzite sarcophagus Bone fragments 2 canopic chests Undecorated Alabaster offering table, duck-shaped bowls in baring the name of his Amenemhat III's Queen Neferu-ptah[40]
12th Southern Mazghuna pyramid Granite sarcophagus Undecorated 3 limestone lamps, duck-shaped alabaster vessel[41]
12th Northern Mazghuna pyramid Quartzite sarcophagus Undecorated [42]
Second Intermediate Period
13th Pyramid of Ameny Qemau Great quartzite monolith with separate cavities for the mummy, and the canopic equipment 4 broken calcite canopic jars inscribed with the pharaoh's name Undecorated [43]
13th Tomb S9 Quartzite sarcophagus Undecorated Burned wood, burned bandages, small pieces of inscribed, gilded plaster from the king's mummy mask, and pieces of unburnt wood and faience inlay, stone jars, beads, and bone needles[44]
13th Tomb S10 Quartzite sarcophagus, found in a later royal tomb in the same necropolis (tomb CS6) Undecorated Planks from the cedar coffin, reused by king Senebkay into a canopic box for his own neighboring burial (tomb CS9)[45]
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Lauer, Jean-Philippe (1939). La pyramide à degrés 3 Compléments.
  2. ^ Lehner 1997, pp. 87–90.
  3. ^ a b c d e STROUHAL; VYHNÁNEK; GABALLAH; SAUNDERS; WOELFLI; BONANI; NĚMEČKOVÁ (2001). Identification of royal skeletal remains from Egyptian pyramids. S2CID 164018005.
  4. ^ Lehner (1997), pp. 87–90
  5. ^ Goneim, M. Zakaria (1956). The buried pyramid.
  6. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 94.
  7. ^ a b Petrie, Flinders (1892). Medum.
  8. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 98.
  9. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 103.
  10. ^ Lehner (1997), p. 105
  11. ^ Perring, John Shae (1839). The pyramids of Gizeh: from actual survey and admeasurement (Band 1): The great pyramid. doi:10.11588/DIGLIT.3557.
  12. ^ "Dixon Artefacts".
  13. ^ "Missing 5,000-year-old piece of Great Pyramid puzzle discovered in cigar box in Aberdeen".
  14. ^ a b c d e Perring, John Shae (1840). The pyramids of Gizeh: from actual survey and admeasurement (Band 2): The second and third pyramids. doi:10.11588/DIGLIT.3558.
  15. ^ a b c Vyse (1840), pp. 77–95
  16. ^ Grimal, Nicolas (1997). "Travaux de l'Institut françaisd'archéologie orientaleen 1996 -1997". Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Archéologie Orientale. 97: 313–429.
  17. ^ Grimal, Nicolas (1999). "Travaux de l'Institut françaisd'archéologie orientaleen 1998 -1999". Bulletin de l'Institut Français d'Archéologie Orientale. 99: 447–566.
  18. ^ "Pyramid Discovered at Abu Rowash".
  19. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 126.
  20. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 135-136.
  21. ^ "Wood coffin found in the Pyramid of Menkaure".
  22. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 140.
  23. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 142.
  24. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 165.
  25. ^ Lehner (1997), p. 153
  26. ^ Lehner (1997), p. 154-155
  27. ^ Lehner (1997), p. 156-157
  28. ^ Lehner (1997), p. 157
  29. ^ Lehner (1997), p. 158
  30. ^ Lehner (1997), p. 160
  31. ^ Maspero (1890). "La pyramide du roi Pépi II". Recueil de travaux relatifs à la philologie et à l'archéologie égyptiennes et assyriennes: Pour servir de bulletin à la Mission Française du Caire: 53–95.
  32. ^ Lehner (1997), p. 162
  33. ^ "CAMPAGNE 2016".
  34. ^ a b Lehner (1997), p. 163
  35. ^ "La Pyramide de Rêhérychefnakht". Archived from the original on 6 June 2010. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
  36. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 173.
  37. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 175.
  38. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 177.
  39. ^ a b Lehner 1997, p. 180.
  40. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 182.
  41. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 184.
  42. ^ Lehner 1997, p. 185.
  43. ^ Swelim, Nabil; Dodson, Aidan (1998). "On the Pyramid of Ameny-Qemau and its Canopic Equipment" (PDF). Mitteilungen des Deutschen Archäologischen Instituts Abteilung Kairo. 54: 319–334, Plates 54 & 55.
  44. ^ McCormack 2006, p. 26.
  45. ^ Wegner & Cahail 2015, pp. 149–156.

Bibliography

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Further reading

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