Ancient site · Giza
Pyramid of Unas
The smallest of the Old Kingdom pyramids, yet renowned for the Pyramid Texts carved on the walls of its underground chambers at Saqqara.
Listen to the guide
The story
The pyramid was built in the 24th century BC for Pharaoh Unas, the ninth and final king of the Fifth Dynasty. He placed it in North Saqqara, between the complexes of Sekhemket and Djoser. It is the smallest Old Kingdom pyramid, yet it is significant because the Pyramid Texts, spells for the king's afterlife, were inscribed for the first time on the walls of its underground chambers. A long causeway with decorated walls and a roof, pierced by a slit to let light in, led up to it. Today the pyramid looks like a small ruined mound rather than a royal monument.
Good to know
- It is the smallest of the Old Kingdom pyramids.
- Its chamber walls carry the first inscribed Pyramid Texts.
- Its causeway was roofed with a slit that let light in to illuminate the carvings.