Userkaf (known in Ancient Greek as Οὐσερχέρης, Usercherês; died c. 2491 BC) was a king of ancient Egypt and the founder of the Fifth Dynasty. He reigned for around seven years in the early 25th century BC, during the Old Kingdom period.

Userkaf (flourished 25th century bce) was the first king of the 5th dynasty of ancient Egypt (c. 2435–c. 2306 bce), under whose reign the cult of Re, god of the sun, began to gain unprecedented importance.

Dec 1, 2024 · Userkaf was the founder of Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty, reigning in the 25th century BC. He is significant for religious reforms, particularly establishing Ra as the state god, and for innovations in architectural and cultural traditions.

Userkaf (Userkhaf, Weserkaf, “his soul is powerful”) was the founder of the fifth dynasty (Old Kingdom) of Ancient Egypt. His Horus name was Irimaat – “Horus, Who Does What Is Right”. He was probably the grandson of Djedfere. However, the precise identity of his parents is in doubt.

The pyramid complex of Userkaf was built c. 2490 BC [1] for the king Userkaf, founder of the 5th Dynasty of Egypt (c. 2494–2345 BC). It is located in the pyramid field at Saqqara, on the north-east of the step pyramid of Djoser.

Userkaf was the first king of the 5th Dynasty, builder of a small pyramid complex at Saqqara and possibly of a solar temple near Abusir.

Aug 26, 2014 · Userkaf was the first king of the 5th Dynasty, builder of a small pyramid complex at Saqqara and possibly of a solar temple near Abusir. Click on the thumbnails below to learn more about Userkaf.

Userkaf's importance lies in a new type of monument that he built in Abusir, a few kilometres north of Saqqara: a so-called Solar Temple. This temple consisted of a raised platform that contained an altar just in front of a mound, upon which a broad and relatively low obelisk was erected.

The hieroglyphs of Userkaf, including rare variants, with detailed descriptions of the titles and the sources of the name. Userkaf was the first pharaoh of the Fifth Dynasty.

This head of King Userkaf was found in his Sun Temple dedicated by him to the god Re at Abusir. The royal head, wearing the Deshret or the Red Crown of Lower Egypt, is a striking example of the style marking the beginning of the 5th Dynasty.