Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (17.2005(2007))

SAQQARA

EGYPT

Phase F: Construction of Complex 2;
Phase G: Construction of complexes: 4, 6,
9a (sequence not established);
Phase H: Construction of Complex 9b and
miniature mastaba of Burial 426;
Occupational phases (A-H) can be
correlated with the periodization of the
pottery material (phases I-IV) established
for the site:22
Phase C corresponds to pottery phase I
(late years of the reign of Teti and the reign
of Weserkare);
Phases D-E correspond to pottery phase
III (first half of the reign of Pepy II);

Phases F-H correspond to phase IV
(from the second half of the reign of Pepy II,
into the 8th Dynasty).
The data suggest that there were Fifth
Dynasty tombs in the excavated part of the
necropolis, but these were destroyed
(intentionally or not) before the reign of
Pepy I (that is, before Complex 10 was
built). It seems that in the early part of the
Sixth Dynasty the area between the temenos
wall and the Dry Moat was occupied by
relatively large tombs arranged in widely
spaced N-S rows. Subsequently, smaller
structures were added among them.23

22 T.I. Rzeuska, Pottery of the Late Old Kingdom. Funerary Pottery and Burial Customs, Saqqara II (Warsaw 2006).
23 A similar situation can be observed in the Sebekemhenet group, situated further north, also in close proximity to
Netjerykhet's western wall. There, a Fifth Dynasty tomb, almost adjacent to the temenos wall, was overbuilt with Sixth
Dynasty and later tombs, cf. E. Drioton, J-Ph. Lauer, "Un groupe de tombes a Saqqarah", ASAE 55 (1958), 207-251.

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