Sekhemkhet was an Ancient Egyptian pharaoh, who ruled during the Third Dynasty, around 2648-2640 BC. J.-C.
The reign of Sekhemkhet
Sekhemkhet, also known as Djoserty, is the successor of Djoser, a much more famous pharaoh. Available sources suggest that Sekhemkhet's reign was brief, perhaps only six or seven years. The scant archaeological and textual evidence regarding Sekhemkhet makes it difficult to understand his reign and accomplishments.
Archaeological discoveries
- The unfinished pyramid
The main remnant of Sekhemkhet is its unfinished pyramid at Saqqara, known as the “buried pyramid”. Discovered in 1951 by Egyptian archaeologist Zakaria Goneim, the pyramid was under construction when Sekhemkhet died, and work was abandoned. The pyramid was to be similar in size and design to that of Djoser, but it was never completed.
- Inscriptions and artifacts
Inscriptions on vases, seals and stone fragments found in Sekhemkhet's tomb testify to its existence. However, these artifacts are rare and do not provide much information about this pharaoh's life or accomplishments.
Archaeologists and research
Besides Zakaria Goneim, who discovered the pyramid of Sekhemkhet, other archaeologists have studied this site, notably Jean-Philippe Lauer. Lauer worked on the pyramid site for several decades and helped reveal many details about the structure and construction of the unfinished pyramid.
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||