List of Egyptian pyramids

There are a very large number of ancient pyramids in Egypt, but not all are royal tombs. Some have a role of worship, others are only satellites of a main pyramid. But almost all of them are in Lower Egypt, near the Nile Delta, and almost all on the West Bank, dedicated to the realm of the dead.

They are essentially grouped into necropolises, that of Giza is the most famous, but we also know very well that of Saqqara, where are 15 pyramids (a record), Dahshur, Meidum, Abusir, etc.

While the Khufu pyramid is by far the best known of all the Egyptian pyramids, the other two of the Giza plateau are often recognized: There is that of his son Khafra and that of his grandson Menkaure.

Enough also known, those of Djoser and the famous rhomboid pyramid are among the most cited pyramids, but who knows that there are dozens more scattered all over the Nile? Depending on the time, the royal dynasties chose to create their necropolis in different parts of present-day Egypt, leaving the country with a host of historical sites that are often less well known than the architectural elements of the travel guides. And although less known, these places deserve a spotlight for their technical characteristics sometimes, but for their historical interests often.

Here is a list of the listed pyramids of Egypt, knowing that some are rather small. The list can not be exhaustive because we never know to what size or what historical interest to stop, very small pyramids may be of great interest and it is not because a pyramid is relatively large that she has a real historical interest.

The first pyramids of Egypt appeared from the 3rd dynasty, their development took place during the 4th dynasty, the 5th and 6th dynasties transformed the cult before the tradition of the pyramidal tombs gradually fades, the 13^th dynasty being the last to really use it. Other pyramids are found later, but they are more anecdotal. The most recent was built during the eighteenth dynasty, during the new empire. We can classify the pyramids of Egypt in several phases:

The step pyramids (3^th dynasty)
The provincial pyramides (3^th or 4th dynasties)
The smooth faced pyramids attempts (4th dynasty)
The giants pyramids (4th dynasty)
The golden age of the pyramids (4th and 5th dynasties)
The pyramids with texts (5th dynasty)
The pyramids of the middle empire (12th and 13^th dynasties)
The late pyramids (17th and 18th dynasties)

Learn more about the historical context of the pyramids

Step pyramids

The Step Pyramids are the first pyramids ever erected by man. The very first is that of Pharaoh Djoser. It was built by the famous Imhotep, the king's administrator, physician and chief architect. It is only an evolution of the mastaba serving as tombs to the pharaohs, it just thought to superimpose two, then to continue this stacking in the form of successive mounds, as explained in the evolution of the pyramids.

This period was quite short because soon his successors tried to make smooth-faced pyramids, a natural evolution of the Step Pyramids.

Learn more about step pyramids.

	Pharaoh	Height / base (initially)	Location	Dynasty	Detail
The step pyramid of Djoser The step pyramid of Djoser Pyramid of Djoser is the perfect example of a step pyramid Author : Simon/Pixbay.com Licence : CC0 (Conditions) Date : 30/11/2010 Modifications made : Unknown	Djoser	62,00 m / 109x121m	Saqqara	III^th dynasty	First ever pyramid in Egyptian history Detail
The pyramid of Sekhmekhet The pyramid of Sekhmekhet The pyramid of Sekhmekhet, at Saqqara	Sekhmekhet	70m / 120x120m	Saqqara	III^th dynasty	Step pyramid (unfinished)
The pyramid of Khaba The pyramid of Khaba The pyramid of Khaba	Khaba	40m / 84x84m	Zaouiet el-Aryan	III^th dynasty	Step pyramide (unfinished)
Pyramide of Houni	Houni (probably)	215m / 105 à 150m	Abou Rawash	III^th dynasty	This pyramid may be a mastaba

Provincial pyramids

The provincial pyramids are pyramids of modest size, between 12 and 20m high. They have the characteristics of being all built outside the capital of the moment, hence their names.

Learn more about provincial pyramids

	Pharaoh	Height / base (Initially)	Location	Dynasty	Detail
Pyramide of Athribis	Houni or Snéfrou	Unknown / 20x20m	Athribis	III^th or IV^th dynasty	Provinciale pyramid (missing) Detail
Pyramid of Elephantine	Houni or Snéfrou	10,50m / 18x18m	Elephantine	III^th or IV^th dynasty	Provinciale pyramid (missing) Detail
Pyramid of Edfou	Houni or Snéfrou	12,50m / 19x19m	Edfou	III^th or IV^th dynasty	Provinciale pyramid (missing) Detail
Pyramid of Al-Koula	Houni or Snéfrou	12m / 19x19m	Hiérakonpolis	III^th or IV^th dynasty	Provinciale pyramid (missing) Detail
Pyramid of Nagada	Houni or Snéfrou	14m / 19x19m	Nagada	III^th or IV^th dynasty	Provinciale pyramid (missing) Detail
The pyramid of Sinki The pyramid of Sinki The pyramid of Sinki is a small provincial pyramid.	Houni or Snéfrou	12,5m / 19x19m	Abydos	III^th or IV^th dynasty	Provinciale pyramid (missing) Detail
The pyramid of Zaouiet-el-Meitin The pyramid of Zaouiet-el-Meitin The pyramid of Zaouiet-el-Meitin is a small provincial pyramid.	Houni or Snéfrou	17m / 22x22m	Al-Minya	III^th or IV^th dynasty	Provinciale pyramid (missing) Detail
The pyramid of Seïlah The pyramid of Seïlah The pyramid of Seilah is a small provincial pyramid.	Snéfrou	Unknown / 25x25m	Seilah	IV^th dynasty	Provinciale pyramid (missing) Detail

Smooth-faced Pyramids Attempts

After the step pyramids the ancient Egyptians tried to make pyramids with smooth faces, but it must be said that they did not succeed at first sight. It was Pharaoh Snefru, founder of the Fourth Dynasty and father of the famous Khufu who had them done. They all had a problem, preventing their finishing, and that until the first successful smooth-faced pyramid.

Learn more about Smooth-faced pyramids attempts

	Pharaoh	Height / base (Initially)	Location	Dynasty	Detail
The Step Pyramid of Snefrou, Meidum The Step Pyramid of Snefrou, Meidum The pyramid of Snefrou, in the city of Meidum, was stepped, but it was transformed into a pyramid with smooth faces.	Snefrou	92m / 144x144m	Meïdoum	IV^th dynasty	First attempt at smooth-faced pyramid (aborted)
The rhomboidal pyramid of Snefrou The rhomboidal pyramid of Snefrou The pyramid of Snefrou is rhomboidal, it is the first attempt at a pyramid with a smooth face.	Snefrou	189m /104x104m	Dahshur	IV^th dynasty	Rhomboidal pyramid

Giants pyramids

The era of the giant pyramids lasted very little time, it represents the apogee of the pyramids.

This is a period during which the pharaohs wanted to climb as high as possible, engaging 20-year-old yards that occupied thousands of men. There were quite a few giant pyramids, but two survived in a good state of conservation, that of Khufu and Khafra.

Learn more about giant pyramids.

	Pharaoh	Height / base (Initially)	Location	Dynasty	Detail
The red pyramid of Snefrou The red pyramid of Snefrou The red pyramid is the first successful attempt to build a smooth-faced pyramid.	Snefrou	109m / 219x219m	Dahshur	IV^th dynasty	First smooth-faced pyramid
The pyramid of Khufu The pyramid of Khufu The pyramid of Khufu, in Giza Author : jarekgraphik/Pixbay.com Licence : CC0 (Conditions) Date : 26/11/2010 Modifications made : Unknown	Khufu	146m / 230x230m	Giza	IV^th dynasty	Highest pyramide Detail
The pyramid of Djedefrê The pyramid of Djedefrê The pyramid of Djedefrê, in Giza	Djedefrê	67m / 106x106m	Abou Rawash	IV^th dynasty
The pyramid of Khafra The pyramid of Khafra The pyramid of Khafra, in Giza Author : PublicDomainPictures/Pixbay.com Licence : CC0 (Conditions) Date : 21/02/2013 Modifications made : Unknown	Khafra	143m / 215x215m	Giza	IV^th dynasty	Rest of facing Detail
Unfinished pyramid	Baka (probably)	Unknown / 200x200m	Zaouiet el-Aryam	IV^th dynasty	Unfinished pyramid

The golden age of the pyramids

The golden age of the pyramids is a period that has spread throughout the fifth dynasty. It is a period of normalization during which the Pharaohs were buried in tombs alike, with the same kinds of equipment. The funerary complexes of this period are relatively simple compared to that of the first pharaoh Djoser, for example. These pharaohs favored the necropolis of Saqqara, Dahshur and Abousir.

Learn more about the golden age of the pyramids

	Pharaoh	Height / base (Initially)	Location	Dynasty	Detail
The pyramid of Menkaure The pyramid of Menkaure The pyramid of Menkaure, in Giza Author : 8moments/Pixbay.com Licence : CC0 (Conditions) Date : 29/01/2010 Modifications made : Unknown	Menkaure	66 m / 102x104m	Giza	IV^th dynasty	Detail
Mastaba of Shepseskaf Mastaba of Shepseskaf Mastaba of Shepseskaf, in Saqqara	Mastaba of Shepseskaf	19m / 100x74m	Saqqara	IV^th dynasty	Mastaba at the infrastructure near the pyramids
Pyramid of Khentkaous Pyramid of Khentkaous Pyramid of Khentkaous, in Giza	Khentkaous	17 m / 45x45m	Giza	IV^th dynasty
Pyramid N°50 of Lepsius			Dahshur		Not yet assigned
Pyramid of Ouserkaf Pyramid of Ouserkaf Pyramid of Ouserkaf, in Saqqara	Ouserkaf	49m / 73x73m	Saqqara	V^th dynasty
Pyramid of Neferhetepes Pyramid of Neferhetepes Pyramide of Neferhetepes, in Saqqara	Neferhetepes	17m / 26x26	Saqqara	V^th dynasty
Pyramid of Sahoure Pyramid of Sahoure Pyramid of Sahoure, in Saqqara	Sahoure	47 m / 79x79m	Abousir	V^th dynasty
Pyramide of Néferirkarê Pyramide of Néferirkarê Pyramide of Néferirkarê, in Abousir	Néferirkarê	72 m / 105x105m	Abousir	V^th dynasty
Pyramid of Kentaous II	Kenkaous II	16 m / 25x25m	Abousir	V^th dynasty
Pyramid of Neferefrê Pyramid of Neferefrê Pyramid of Neferefrê, in Abousir	Néféréfré	Unknown / 65x65m	Abousir	V^th dynasty
Pyramid of Niouserrê Pyramid of Niouserrê Pyramide of Niouserrê, in Abousir	Niouserrê	50m / 79x79m	Abousir	V^th dynasty
Pyramid N°24 of Lepsius Pyramid N°24 of Lepsius Pyramid N°24 of Lepsius, in Abousir	Niouserrê (probably)	27m / 32x32m	Abousir	V^th dynasty
Pyramid N°25 of Lepsius	Niouserrê (probably)	Unknown / 28x21m	Abousir	V^th dynasty
Pyramid of Menkaouhor	Menkaouhor	Unknown / 52x52m	Saqqara	V^th dynasty
Pyramid of Chepseskarê	Chepseskarê (probably)		Abousir	V^th dynasty	Unfinished pyramid
Pyramid of Djedkarê Isesi Pyramid of Djedkarê Isesi Pyramid of Djedkarê Isesi, in Saqqara	Djedkarê	52m / 79x79m	Saqqara	V^th dynasty	Unfinished pyramid

Pyramids with text

A text pyramid is a pyramid whose burial chambers are abundantly written. The text pyramids of this period are written in hieroglyphic. The texts are always the same, it is the book of the dead who explain the passage in the other world, the dead. There is not really any coherence in the scriptures, that is to say that the book is repeated several times if there is room, and if there is more, the text is simply truncated. That explains why, when a wall is written, it is completely.

The text pyramids period is quite long. If it begins during the 5th Dynasty, it is especially the 6th who uses them the most.

Learn more about pyramids with texts.

	Pharaoh	Height / base (Initially)	Location	Dynasty	Detail
Pyramid with texts of Ounas Pyramid with texts of Ounas Pyramid with texts of Ounas, in Saqqara	Ounas	43m / 58x58m	Saqqara	V^th dynasty	First pyramid with texts
Pyramid with texts of Teti Pyramid with texts of Teti Pyramid with texts of Teti, in Saqqara	Teti	52m / 79x79m	Saqqara	VI^th dynasty	Pyramid with texts
Pyramid with texts of Pepi Ist Pyramid with texts of Pepi Ist Pyramid with texts of Teti, in Saqqara	Pepi Ist	52m / 79x79m	Saqqara	VI^th dynasty	Pyramid with texts
Pyramid of Menrerê Pyramid of Menrerê Pyramid of Menrerê, in Saqqara	Merenrê Ist	52m / 79x79m	Saqqara	VI^th dynasty	Pyramid with texts
Pyramid of Pepi II Pyramid of Pepi II Pyramid of Pepi II, in Saqqara	Pepi II	52m / 79x79m	Saqqara	VI^th dynasty	Pyramid with texts
Pyramid of Qakarê Ibi	Qakarê Ibi	21m / 32x32m	Saqqara	VIII^th dynasty	Pyramid with texts
Pyramid of Khoui	Khoui	Unknown / 130x130m	Dara	VIII^th dynasty	Pyramid with texts

Pyramids of the middle empire

The pyramids of the middle empire represent a jolt of ancient history. They came from the will of the pharaohs of the time to place themselves in the footsteps of their predecessors by using the same funeral techniques as they. It took place during the twelfth and thirteenth dynasty.

Learn more about the pyramids of the middle empire

	Pharaoh	Height / base (Initially)	Location	Dynasty	Detail
Pyramid of Amenemhat Ist Pyramid of Amenemhat Ist Pyramid of Amenemhat Ist, in Litch	Amenemhat Ist	55m / 84x84m	Litch	XII^th dynasty
Pyramid of Sesostris Ist Pyramid of Sesostris Ist Pyramid of Sesostris Ist, in Litch	Amenemhat Ist	61m / 105x105m	Litch	XII^th dynasty
Pyramid of Amenemhat II Pyramid of Amenemhat II Pyramid of Amenemhat II, in Dahshur	Amenemhat II	Unknown / 84x84m	Dahshur	XII^th dynasty
Pyramid of Sesostris II Pyramid of Sesostris II Pyramid of Sesostris II, in El-Lahoun	Sesostris II	49m / 106x106m	El-Lahoun	XII^th dynasty
Pyramid of Sesostris III Pyramid of Sesostris III Pyramid of Sesostris III, in DahshurDahshur	Amenemhat III	63m / 105x105m	Dahshur	XII^th dynasty
Pyramid of Amenemhat III Pyramid of Amenemhat III Pyramid of Amenemhat III, in Dahshur	Amenemhat III	75m / 105x105m	Dahshur	XII^th dynasty	Black pyramid
Pyramid of Amenemhat III, in Hawara Pyramid of Amenemhat III, in Hawara Pyramid in Hawara	Amenemhat III	58m / 105x105m	Hawara	XII^th dynasty	White pyramid
Pyramid of Ameni Kemaou	Ameni Kemaou	Unknown / 53x53m	Dahshur	XIII^th dynasty
Pyramid of Khendjer Pyramid of Khendjer Pyramid of Khendjer	Khendjer	38m / 53x53m	Saqqara	XIII^th dynasty
Pyramid not allocated		Unknown / 95x95m	Saqqara	XIII^th dynasty	Unfinished pyramid

Late pyramids

The late pyramids are also a burst of history. Appearing during the seventeenth and eighteenth dynasties, at the very beginning of the new empire, they have particular characteristics that make it possible to identify them without error.

Learn more about late pyramids.

	Pharaoh	Height / base (Initially)	Location	Dynasty	Detail
Pyramid of Antef V	Antef V	Unknown / 11x11m	Dra Abou el-Naga	XVII^th dynasty
Pyramid of Kamose	Kamose	Unknown / 8x8m	Dra Abou el-Naga	XVII^th dynasty
Pyramid of Ahmôsis Pyramid of Ahmôsis Pyramid of Ahmôsis	Ahmôsis	Unknown / 53x53m	Abydos	XVIII^th dynasty	Last confirmed royal pyramid