The Archaeologist

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First Look Inside the Ruined Pyramid of Userkaf

After the enormous Giza pyramid of the 4th dynasty, the monuments quickly began to shrink in size. The pharaoh Userkaf was the first king of the 5th dynasty and his pyramid was known as 'The Ruined Pyramid'. Almost nobody has been inside since the explorers of the early 1800's.

We take a rare tour through the pyramid substructure, exploring its inner chambers which are remarkably well-preserved. Userkaf's pyramid complex is unique in many important ways, and the hidden interior has some anomalous features that help unlock the secrets of all Old Kingdom pyramids - including the Great Pyramid.