Abusir is an ancient Egyptian site located west of the Nile about 17.5 km south of the pyramids of Giza. The name of this village is derived from the Arabic word per-wasir meaning ” the house of Osiris” . The temple is dedicated to the God of Death and Resurrection. This site was an important part of Memphite necropolis so it was the center of many activities.
The entrances of the second, third and sixth king, namely Sahure, Neferirkare, and Nyuserre respectively, were cleared by J.S Perring in 1838. In 1902-08, Ludwig Borchardt excavated the nearby temples and causeways. An excellent book by Miroslav Verner has been written on the excavations at Abusir.
PYRAMIDS AND THEIR FEATURES
The royal interest in this site of Abusir developed in the reign of 1st king of 5th dynasty named, Userkaf. Many of his successors followed his examples leading to the development of Abusir. The site has textually recorded six pyramids but only three have survived.
This site is famous for its ancient royal burial activities. Abusir holds the essence of the social, political, and cultural activities of the Old Kingdom of Ancient Egypt. The society during this period was closely knitted with the cultural and religious activities.
Abusir was the burial site of the 5th dynasty of Old Kingdom. Many Pharaohs and high officials were buried at this site. The fabrication of power during this period led to the First Intermediate period.
The temple complex of Sahure’s inner stone walls has been painted with reliefs. These reliefs depicts the King’s various political activities. The best known scene was the King’s hunting scene painted on the side of the doorways. The temple complex had an elaborate drainage and rainwater harvesting channels.
One of the best excavated Pyramids of Abusir was the mastaba of vizier Ptahshepses. he was the son-in-law of Nyuserre and his tomb was close to the King’s tomb. This tomb being one of its kind was the tourist attraction of antiquities.
The Abusir papyri were found in the complexes of Neferirkare, khentkaues and reneferef. These Papyri holds extensive information on the state affairs of this Dynasty.
The theological importance of the pyramid texts explores the richness and forms of Egyptian literature. The writing during this period is the ‘Old writing’ or ‘the Classical form of ancient Egyptian script’. The cult of Osiris, Horus, and Sun god Re amalgamate here to give the king a ultimate position of superiority and divinity after his Death
The site was abandoned during the 6th dynasty. However, this site did not loose its religious significance till the end of Pharaonic times.
