Last month I had the absolute pleasure of entering six different pyramids during my tour of Egypt with Adept Expeditions, and although Giza was of course an obvious highlight, there was really something very special about Saqqara.

The Pyramid of Unas was built to the southwest of the Step Pyramid, outside of the ancient moat that once encircled the 3rd dynasty complex. In terms of main pyramids constructed for a king, it is the smallest of the Old Kingdom, but size really isn’t everything, because inside there is something extremely significant to Ancient Egyptian history.

Yes, on the walls of the pyramid’s subterranean chambers are etched the famous pyramid texts. And whilst these texts are the main reason to visit, there is something else hiding in plain sight, well, by torchlight at least. Yes, on the alabaster panels directly adjacent to the sarcophagus are haunting, ghostly images of King Khufu - the builder of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Unas has re-used panels from the famous 4th dynasty king that came before him, but why? Did he wish to have a strong association with Khufu, as well as Djoser? Watch the video to learn more.

All images and footage is either my own, taken from Google Images or from the sources listed below. Please subscribe to Ancient Architects, Like the video, and please leave a comment below. Thank you.

Sources:
Isida Project: https://isida-project.org/egypt_april_2019/unas_en.htm
John Perring Diagram: https://iiif-prod.nypl.org/index.php?id=1527230&t=g
The Pyramids : Their Archaeology and History; Verner, Miroslav; 2020
Keith Hamilton's Unas Guide: https://www.academia.edu/97873043/The_Pyramid_of_Unas_A_Laymans_Guide

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