Sekhemkhet

Sekhemkhet succeeded Djoser as ruler of Egypt during the Third Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. His reign lasted around eight years, from approximately 2648 BC to 2640 BC, with modern dates carrying an uncertainty of about 25 years. Governed from Memphis, his short rule was dominated by an effort to emulate his predecessor's monumental stone architecture.

Sekhemkhet began constructing his own step pyramid at Saqqara, situated southwest of Djoser's monument. Known today as the Buried Pyramid, the structure was planned to rise higher than the Step Pyramid, but construction ceased when the king died prematurely. When modern archaeologists cleared the subterranean burial chamber, an unusual sealed alabaster sarcophagus was found, although it proved to be empty. In addition to his funerary complex, Sekhemkhet left a rock-cut inscription at the turquoise mines of Wadi Maghara in the Sinai Peninsula. Scholars know him through these Saqqara masonry seals and quarry inscriptions.

Monuments

• Buried Pyramid at Saqqara
• Wadi Maghara rock inscription

Explore further

Try the name on the Cartouche Desk, or see where the reign falls on the timeline.