Lepsius L

The Lepsius L Pyramid is the remain of a pyramid complex built in Dahshur, approximately 250 m (820 ft) east of the Red Pyramid of pharaoh Sneferu of the Fourth Dynasty.^[1] The identity of the pyramid owner is unknown. The site was initially visited by Karl Richard Lepsius during his 1842–45 expedition to Egypt. He provided a brief description and catalogued it as 'Steinpyramide L' in his pyramid list.^[2] The site was then excavated by Rainer Stadelmann in 1986.^[1]

Lepsius L
Unknown, possibly Menkauhor
Coordinates	29°48′39″N 31°12′44″E
Ancient name	From a decree of Pepi I presumed to refer to the pyramid: Nṯr-ỉswt Ỉkꜣw-Ḥr Netjer-isut Ikauhor 'Divine are the places of Ikauhor'
Constructed	Fourth or Fifth Dynasty (possibly)
Type	True (now ruined)
Material	Limestone
Base	~ 85 m (279 ft; 162 cu) ~ 40 m (130 ft; 76 cu)
Location within Lower Egypt

Pyramid complex

Lepsius measured the base of the pyramid as being 85 m (279 ft; 162 cu) square;^[3] Stadelmann measured it as being 40 m (130 ft).^[4] Lepsius further identified a path leading towards the Red Pyramid which may have been the pyramid's causeway. He also noted the presence of a necropolis adjoining the pyramid's north side.^[3] Stadelmann discovered large limestone blocks that are presumed to have been intended for the pyramid's substructure, a mudbrick construction ramp, and the remains of Fourth Dynasty era pottery.^[1]

Ownership

Ludwig Borchardt and Stadelmann have ascribed the pyramid to Menkauhor of the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt,^[5] though this identification is contested.^[6] They cite a royal decree issued by Pepi I of the Sixth Dynasty that was uncovered in the pyramid town of Sneferu's Red Pyramid and mentions Menkauhor's pyramid to support this assignment:^[7][8][9]

ỉw wḏ-n ḥnỉ nfr-n ỉnt rmt nb r šꜣdw m rꜣ-pr n nṯr-ỉswt Ỉkꜣw-Ḥr

My Majesty commands that no one shall be sent to dig in the temple of the pyramid 'Divine are the place of Ikauhor'^[10][a]

Menkauhor is, however, also associated with the Headless Pyramid in Saqqara, another pyramid with contested ownership. This attribution is supported by Jean-Philippe Lauer and Jean Leclant because the displacement of the causeway of Teti's pyramid indicates that the Headless Pyramid was built earlier;^[14][15] Vito Maragioglio and Celeste Rinaldi because the manner of construction of the Headless Pyramid's substructure follows the Fifth Dynasty pattern;^[15][16] and Zahi Hawass because the architectural style of the pyramid complex and the extensive use of quality materials are typical of the era.^[17][18]

Dieter Arnold after examining a re-used block from Amenemhat I's pyramid believed to originate from Menkauhor's pyramid determined that it originated from neither Lepsius XXIX nor Lepsius L and concluded that Menkauhor's pyramid was yet to be uncovered, probably in South Saqqara.^[19]

Notes

1. There is a slight variation in the name of the pyramid in the decree from other sources. In Pepi I's decree nṯr is written as 𓊹,^[11] whereas it is written as 𓊹 𓂋 in the mastaba of Ptahhetep and Akhethetep^[12] and in the tomb of Min-anhk.^[13]