Abusir
is located in the desert west of Cairo, between
Giza and Saqqara. The site is dominated
by the remains of seven pyramid complexes,
five of which can be deated securely to the
5th Dynasty (2504-2347 B.C.): those of Sahure,
Niuserre, Neferirkare, Neferefre, and Queen
Khentakawes II. A number of papyrus archives
have been found in association with these pyramids
and their temples; these provide an important
glimpse into the bureaucracy of this era. Scattered
among the royal complexes are the tombs of
5th Dynasty nobles and officials; the most
impressive of these belongs to a vizier and
royal son-in-law named Ptahshepses. South of
the pyramids are a number of recently-excavated
Late Period tombs. One of these, the tomb of
Iufaa, was found intact.
North of
Abusir proper is the site of Abu Ghurob, where
two solar temples, also dating to the 5th Dynasty,
are still visible.
HOURS OF
OPERATION:
Open Daily: 9 AM - 5 PM
TICKET
COST:
Egyptian:
2 LE
Foreign: 20 LE
A 50% discount on admission is available to students with a valid student
ID from an Egyptian University or a valid ISIC card.
LOCATION:
South of Cairo,
off Saqqara Road
DIRECTIONS:
BY MINIBUS: Take
a bus or taxi to Pyramids Road, getting
off at Maryotteya Canal, and head down
to the canal, where there is a yard of
minibuses. Take one from there to the village
of Abusir.
BY
TAXI: Ask for Abusir.
It is also possible to visit Abusir by riding a horse from Giza to Saqqara,
passing the site en route.
FACILITIES:
A Visitors’ Center
is under construction.
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Overview
of the pyramid field at Abusir
(Kenneth Garrett) |
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The
intact burial of Iufaa,
discovered at Abusir (Kenneth
Garrett) |
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