Archaeologists Unearth Egypt’s 118th Pyramid
Heba El Sahn
The Ancient Egyptian civilization never ceases to intrigue people from all over. The Ancient Egyptians were able to stun the world with the vastness of their achievements and discoveries. To this day, archaeologists are constantly uncovering new facts and monuments concerning the historical society. On November 11th, 2008 a new pyramid has been discovered seven meters beneath the sand. This
pyramid is around 4,300 years old and is believed to be the tomb of Queen Sesheshet, who is the mother of Pharaoh Teti, the founder of Ancient Egypt’s 6th dynasty. While observing the monument, the angle of the base suggested that the pyramid was originally 14 meters tall and 22 meters at its base. The remnants found are only five meters tall. It also happens to be the second pyramid found this year in Saqqara (an ancient royal burial complex), and the 118th pyramid found in Egypt so far.It was a surprise discovery since the archaeologists believed that they had thoroughly searched the Teti site. They had been digging over there for over 20 years. The theory is that a long time ago researchers used to dig up one area and take the sand and pile it up in places that are still unexcavated. This probably caused archaeologists to think there was nothing there. On the other hand, tomb robbers knew about the monument and they had raided the funerary chamber many times. It is because of this fact that archaeologists are not hopeful to find Sesheshet’s mummy when they search the burial area. They are anticipating to locate, however, inscriptions about the queen in whose honor this pyramid was built.
Queen Sesheshet held the highest honorary position of her time. She was given the title of “First Queen” or “King’s Mother”, which means she is the king’s most favored wife and that her son is the heir to the throne. Even though Queen Sesheshet’s political influence was minimal, she was acclaimed for being a supporter of the Arts; and even promoting it in a time when Egypt was in political turmoil at the end of the fifth dynasty. It is not a coincidence then, that her name is parallel to the name of the goddess of history and writing, Seshat.
It was upon the queen’s death, that her son Pharoah Teti ordered the construction of the pyramid. Pyramids were not usually built for women, but he did it out of love and respect for his mother. It was expected in Ancient Egyptian culture that when a loved one passed away, one should present a gift in devotion to the departed. Pharoah Teti believed his mother should receive the greatest gift of all at the time, and with that in mind the pyramid was made for her burial.It is from the findings and research done by archeologists and historians that people learn about the greatness of the Ancient Egyptian civilization. Egyptians should embrace their history and work to learn more about it. This discovery should not be something that we learn and later forget, for it has a greater purpose. It should make us proud that our ancestors did so much, and it should reinforce our confidence that we can achieve great things. Queen Sesheshet’s pyramid stands for Egyptians today as a historical reminder of the glory of their past.
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