The 4th Dynasty of Egypt’s Old Kingdom is famous for its pyramid building prowess.
Sneferu is believed to have built three of these monumental structures in the Meidum, Red and Bent Pyramids. His son Khufu built the largest of all, at Giza with the Great Pyramid, and Djedefre’s was on the highest ground at Abu Rawash.
Khafre built his next to the Great Pyramid but on higher ground to look taller, and although Menkaure’s was smaller, it was arguably the most beautiful both inside and out.
But then we have Shepseskaf, who is believed to be the final king of the 4th dynasty, and for some reason, he doesn’t have a pyramid to his name. He instead built a great mastaba in South Saqqara, a departure from the Giza necropolis used by his predecessors, but why? And why break the famous 4th dynasty tradition of pyramid building?
Well, in this video, I’ll be taking a closer look.
All images and video are either my own, taken from the below sources, or from Google Images for educational purposes only. Please subscribe to Ancient Architects, Like the video or please leave a comment below.
My Previous Video on the Great Scar of the Menkaure Pyramid: https://youtu.be/dp1cwjDxueo?si=ZQ0w5E2IuenAF3MP
Video Contents:
0:00 - Introduction
1:27 - King Shepseskaf
2:32 - The Mastaba of Shepseskaf
3:46 - How do we know it's Old Kingdom?
5:30 - The Exterior of the Mastaba
11:50 - The Entrance and the Breach
14:32 - Inside the Mastaba of Shepseskaf
22:12 - Temples and Causeway
22:58 - Why No Pyramid? And Why not Built at Giza?
27:25 - Did Shepseskaf Steal Menkaure's Granite?
29:54 - Conclusion
Sources:
Keith Hamilton Guide: https://www.academia.edu/35747387/The_Mastabat_el_Faraun_A_laymans_guide
Isida Project (1): https://isida-project.ucoz.com/egypt_mar_2013/saqqara_shepseskaf.htm
Isida Project (2): https://isida-project.ucoz.com/egypt_2012/saqqara_shepseskaf.htm
Isida Project Mastaba 17: https://youtu.be/uJ7m0E5hhLI?si=5-MQycKhpvzw_Fut
The Giza Project Harvard University: https://youtu.be/SG5V8SFK-Ik?si=V6fpyPwPOWQdEdEG
Ancient Egypt 360: https://youtu.be/a8utk-4DD7w?si=K2BFu7bVW4W76gIU
Robin Morgan, Shepseskaf: https://youtu.be/a228TBw8HoE?si=q8N_IjFbSaHWSA66
Representation of 'SAw' and 'Pr-nw' Shrines in the Funeral Procession in Some Non-Royal Mastabas During the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/368245744_Representation_of_%27SAw%27_and_%27Pr-nw%27_Shrines_in_the_Funeral_Procession_in_Some_Non-Royal_Mastabas_During_the_Fifth_and_Sixth_Dynasties
Shrine, Neal Spencer: https://escholarship.org/content/qt5t48n007/qt5t48n007.pdf?t=rzueb9
Music:
Title Music: Ross Bugden, Olympus: https://youtu.be/BnmglWHoVrk?si=e1GPuXsMOw56Agjy
Adrian von Zeigler, Relaxing Arabian Music - Desert Magic: https://youtu.be/8l-OjqnzQzw?si=qwc4q2_Cj8PEiDmf
Adrian von Zeigler, Emotional Music - Even in Death: https://youtu.be/PVAWqGj33T8?si=tK336MqLDOMaIY2z
#ancientarchitects #pyramid #ancientegypt "
