Pyramid of Unas

The Pyramid of Unas, the final monument of the Fifth Dynasty king, stands on the Saqqara plateau. Its exterior today is modest—the casing stones were removed long ago, leaving a weathered mound of rubble—yet its internal structure documents a crucial development in ancient Egyptian religion. It is significantly smaller than the Step Pyramid located nearby.
The entrance leads into a narrow passage that descends into the substructure. The air is still, carrying only the scent of dust. The visitor moves toward the burial chamber, the intended final resting place of the Pharaoh.

Inside, the chamber provides a clear statement of purpose. The black granite sarcophagus is prominent, situated beneath a ceiling painted blue and decorated with gold stars. However, the most important feature is the comprehensive inscription covering the walls.
The chamber walls are entirely covered, from floor to ceiling, in thousands of vertical columns of hieroglyphs. This compilation represents the earliest surviving religious literature in the world, known as the Pyramid Texts.

These texts were inscribed with great care. The hieroglyphs are meticulously carved into the stone surface. The content is structured as a sequence of incantations, prayers, and magical spells. They functioned as a direct guide for the deceased King, intended to ensure his successful resurrection and ascension to the sky.
A specific verse illustrates the king's transformation into a celestial being:
"O Unas, you are the great one, the son of a great one, the wet-nurse of the great one is yours.

You go forth to the sky among the stars, among the imperishable stars."
Other sections include the ritual known as the "Cannibal Hymn," where the king devours the gods to absorb their power, as well as instructions for navigating the Duat, the Egyptian underworld.

The Pyramid of Unas is historically important because it is the first royal tomb where these extensive religious compositions were permanently inscribed on the internal walls. This decision to anchor the king’s eternal journey with the written word marks a major shift in Egyptian funerary practice and theological expression.
The chamber preserves a critical moment in the history of Egyptian belief, solidifying the relationship between kingship, magic, and eternity.Leggi altro