The Lepsius L Pyramid is the remain of a pyramid complex built in Dahshur, approximately 250 m (820 ft) east of the Red Pyramid of pharaoh Sneferu of the Fourth Dynasty.[1] The identity of the pyramid owner is unknown. The site was initially visited by Karl Richard Lepsius during his 1842–45 expedition to Egypt. He provided a brief description and catalogued it as 'Steinpyramide L' in his pyramid list.[2] The site was then excavated by Rainer Stadelmann in 1986.[1]
| Lepsius L | |||||||||||||||||
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| Unknown, possibly Menkauhor | |||||||||||||||||
| Coordinates | 29°48′39″N 31°12′44″E / 29.81083°N 31.21222°E | ||||||||||||||||
| Ancient name | From a decree of Pepi I presumed to refer to the pyramid:
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| Constructed | Fourth or Fifth Dynasty (possibly) | ||||||||||||||||
| Type | True (now ruined) | ||||||||||||||||
| Material | Limestone | ||||||||||||||||
| Base | ~ 85 m (279 ft; 162 cu)~ 40 m (130 ft; 76 cu) | ||||||||||||||||
  Location within Lower Egypt | |||||||||||||||||
Pyramid complex
Lepsius measured the base of the pyramid as being 85 m (279 ft; 162 cu) square;[3] Stadelmann measured it as being 40 m (130 ft).[4] Lepsius further identified a path leading towards the Red Pyramid which may have been the pyramid's causeway. He also noted the presence of a necropolis adjoining the pyramid's north side.[3] Stadelmann discovered large limestone blocks that are presumed to have been intended for the pyramid's substructure, a mudbrick construction ramp, and the remains of Fourth Dynasty era pottery.[1]
Ownership
Ludwig Borchardt and Stadelmann have ascribed the pyramid to Menkauhor of the Fifth Dynasty of Egypt,[5] though this identification is contested.[6] Borchardt cites a royal decree issued by Pepi I of the Sixth Dynasty that was uncovered in the pyramid town of Sneferu's Red Pyramid and mentions Menkauhor's pyramid as supporting the assignment:[7][8]
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Menkauhor is, however, also associated with the Headless Pyramid in Saqqara, another pyramid with contested ownership. This attribution is supported by Jean-Philippe Lauer and Jean Leclant because the displacement of the causeway of Teti's pyramid indicates that the Headless Pyramid was built earlier;[10][11] Vito Maragioglio and Celeste Rinaldi because of the manner of the construction of the Headless Pyramid's substructure follows the Fifth Dynasty pattern;[11][12] and Zahi Hawass based on the architectural style of the pyramid complex and the extensive use of quality materials typical of the era.[13][14]
Dieter Arnold after examining a re-used block from Amenemhat I's pyramid believed to originate from Menkauhor's pyramid determined that it originated from neither Lepsius XXIX nor Lepsius L and concluded that Menkauhor's pyramid was yet to be uncovered, probably in South Saqqara.[15]