|
Merenre was the son of
Pepi I, but only lived to rule for a few short years (some sources
give 5 years, some give as much as 9 years). Very little is known
from this short reign - Pepi I and Merenre possibly shared a
co-regency for a time.
On the death of Merenre,
the throne passed to his half-brother Pepi II who was to reign
for the longest period in the history of ancient Egypt.
The
Pyramid of Merenre
('Merenre
shines with beauty')
Original
Height - 52.5 m
Length
of Side - 78.5m
|
 |
The pyramid of Merenre,
like that of Pepi I has not lasted well over the centuries -
the substructure of the pyramid is very similar to Pepi I's -
it is thought even down to the arrangement of the Pyramid texts
around the burial chamber.
The pyramid is entered
via a passage on the north side - this passage then leads into
the burial chamber.
|
Chambers
within the Pyramid
| A
- Entrance |
E
- Second Corridor |
| B - First
Corridor |
F
- Antechamber |
| C
- Vestibule |
G
- Burial Hall |
| D
- Granite Slabs |
H - Sarcophagus |
|
|
Given
the poor condition of the rest of the pyramid - including the
burial chamber itself -amazingly the black basalt sarcophagus
still remains in good condition (along with the canopic chest).
The sarcophagus also still contained a mummy, although it is
not thought that this mummy is that of Merenre - the style of
mummification dates it to the 18th Dynasty, and is therefore
thought to be a later intrusion into the pyramid (however the
mummy has yet to be studied fully - it may still be that of Merenre).
|
 |
|
