The area of the Saqqara necropolis is usually divided up into one northern and one southern part. The southern part encompasses the pyramids of Pepi I, Pepi II, Djedkare, Merenre, Shepseskaf and Ibi. In the northern part we find, first the Step Pyramid Complex of Djoser, and directly south of the enclosure wall, the pyramid of Unas and the pyramid complex of Sekhemkhet as well as several other tombs.

A bit more to the south of these brings us to what is called the southern part of the Saqqara area and a New Kingdom necropolis with the tombs of Maya, Ramose, Horemheb and Tiya. Beyond them lies the pyramids of Pepi I, II, Merenre, Djedkare and Shepsekaf. In the distance, even further south, the red pyramid of Dashur can be seen through the haze. But for now, let´s concentrate on the northern part.

The Pyramid of Unas, 5th Dynasty
Unas (Unis, Wenis) ruled for thirty years but not much more is known about him. He was the last king of his dynasty. His name, Wadj-tawy meaning "Horus, the flourishing one of the Two Lands" appears at Elephantine and at some alabaster vessels at Byblos. He built his pyramid between the Djoser Complex and the Sekhemkhet Complex. The pyramid of Unas was called The most Beautiful of Places, nefer sewet and is well known for the fact that it was here that the very first Pyramid Texts were inscribed. Nowadays tourists are not allowed to enter and the whole structure looks rather like a crumbled heap.

The Pyramid Texts
These are the earliest and biggest collection of religious texts which outline the development of religious thought since the predynastic times. The texts were inscribed on the walls of the tomb in order to give the deceased King those texts to recite which would enable him to gain eternal life in the Afterworld. Parts of them are created long before the time of Unas. They can nowadays be seen in the Pyramid of Teti, to the north of the Djoser Complex.

Originally the Unas Complex consisted of a pyramid tomb with a small satellite pyramid and a causeway 700 m long, leading to a valley temple. The pyramid itself had an entrance hall and a hall with columns. On both sides of this were magazines. The inner temple had niches for statues and a sanctuary. An interesting feature is that in the 1940´s an inscription was found in pieces on the grounds. It was restored and showed itself to be from the 19th Dynasty. The inscription said that the pyramid of Unas had been restored by Khaemwaset, high priest at Memphis and son of Ramesses II. It was then replaced high up on the pyramid.

The Causeway
The causeway was originally decorated with scenes depicting events in the reign of Unas. Though very fragmentary today, they differ from other such scenes in that they were presented in a non-stereotype and rather novel manner. Here are scenes of agriculture, hunting and battle scenes, metalworking and transportation of stones from Aswan as well as a scene with victims of famine. The causeway doesn´t run straight, it bends twice to the south, perhaps to make allowances for ground conditions, and it was built over several mastabas. At the uppermost bend, two boatpits, both 45 m long was discovered immediately to the south. Much material from the causeway has been used in other structures in the area and even the underpaving of it consists partly of older material, namely from the Djoser complex, which points at that already by the 5th Dynasty, that complex had fallen into decay. The causeway has recently undergone restoration and you can now walk from the valley temple along the causeway to the pyramid.

The Valley Temple
The Valley temple was terraced and built near a lake to the southeast of the main pyramid. It was once a huge building accessible through a ramp which lead in to a columned court. Some granite colums decorated with palm fronds still remain, which tell of a highly developed workmanship. Behind a passage you come to a traverse room, and behind this one, a second traverse room to the south. To the north is a room with two columns and in the northwest there is a third room which is connected to the causeway. A fourth room with three niches and some magazines lies to the south of this. Today it is much ruined but originally it was located by a basin and a quay. Excavations in the 70´s yielded a sarcophagus on one of the terraces with a mummy of an old man. On his golden belt was an inscription saying: 'King´s son Ptashepses'. The temple was however completed and inscribed by Teti, the successor of Unas.

Mastabas of Nebet and Khenet
There are several mastabas to the immediate north and east of the Pyramid of Unas. One in particular is a double mastaba, the two parts built in the same way, pointing at the equal status of the inhabitants. These belong to two women, Nebet and Khenut, which were related to Unas. These are possibly his wifes though for the most queens were buried within the pyramid complex itself. Nebet is believed to be the mother of Wenisakh, a prince, then probably son of Unas and her mastaba, which is well preserved, has reliefs with harem scenes. The mastaba of Khenet is ruined. That they were buried outside of the pyramid complex indicates that the relationship with Unas isn´t totally clear.

Mastaba of Idut
There is also a mastaba for Sesheset Idut who is thought to be a daughter of Unas. This one has several chambers and the reliefs are in good condition. In the second chamber are reliefs of hippo hunting and in others are scenes of offering. There is also the possibility that the isncription in the valley temple of 'King´s son Ptashepshes' refers to a son of Unas, and it is not known for sure if there were other daughters or relatives.

In the area from the pyramid of Unas and along the causeway many other tombs and mastabas have been found. These are from the period before Unas, rather small and dug out from the rock. Their decorations are wellpreserved with original colors and their owners were people who lived at court, not nobles but holding positions as officials, craftsmen, royal hairdressers and manicurists. They will be the target on another article.

Sources:
Early Dynastic Egypt - Toby A. Wilkinson
Royal Tombs from the Pyramid Period, article in Ägypten Die Welt Der Pharaonen by Rainer Stadelmann
The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt - Richard H. Wilkinson
Cultural Atlas of Ancient Egypt - John Baines & Jaromir Malek
Two helpful links:
Tour Egypt
Egyptsites