The Mortuary Temple Of Niuserre
Building pyramids for the Egyptian Pharaohs so that they could be buried with riches and all that they wished to take with them in their next life was widespread through many dynasties. It is a practice that continued to be important in Egyptian civilization since its inception. Niuserre, an ancient King of the Fifth Dynasty, followed the footsteps of his father, uncle, and brother and built a burial chamber for himself in the Necropolis of Abusir, where his forefathers lay. However, his pyramid or burial ground was built in a different manner than others of his lineage, which makes it of special interest to archaeologists and Egyptologists.
Construction Of Niuserre's Pyramid
The pyramid of Niuserre was built differently than the others of his family. While his father's, uncle, and brothers' pyramids were built with a diagonal angle pointing towards the Heliopolis, he broke this pattern by making his pyramid be constructed between that of his father and uncle. The breaking of the regular pattern gave him less space for building his chambers, but he continued nevertheless. The result of such an adjustment meant that his burial grounds were smaller in comparison to the others. The main pyramid was constructed with limestone as its building material and base. The structure was inclined to a degree of fifty-two.
Structure Of Niuserre's Pyramid
The entire complex of the Mortuary Temple of Niuserre comprises his burial pyramid, an attached pyramid, a mortuary temple, a valley temple, a causeway, and an offering hall. Archeological discoveries and research have found traces of two smaller pyramids in this complex. While the common explanation is that it could have been the pyramids of his queens, that theory is not confirmed.
Mortuary Temple Of Niuserre
The unusually built mortuary temple of Niuserre is built in an L-shape. It is built in the eastern complex of the pyramid but runs in a unique southern direction from there. A common explanation for such an unusual shape is because there were other pyramids built in the area, the mortuary temple got less space to be extended and was thus extended in the L shape within the only space made available to it.
Despite its main shape differing from those of normal temples built during that time, the elements of the temple remain typical. The temple was built in two sections: one inner temple and the other the outer temple. It had altars for rituals and sacrifices, and the inner temple had lots of storerooms in it. The outer temple extended to the outside of the complex, where it had a courtyard and pillars.
Valley Temple And Causeway
The foundations and base structure for Niuserre's valley temple were borrowed from the tomb of Sahure (his uncle). Niuserre's Valley Temple consists of a portico and four columns. A small chamber connected the Valley Temple with the Causeway. The walls and floors of the temple were constructed with limestone and basalt, respectively. There were painted relics on the walls of this Temple.
