June 6 (Bloomberg) -- An Egyptian pyramid that was last seen in the mid-19th century has been unearthed, National Geographic News reported, citing Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.

The structure, which archaeologists say housed the tomb of King Menkauhor, was mentioned by German archaeologist Karl Richard Lepsius in 1842 before it was lost under the sands of Saqqara, a royal burial area near Cairo, the Egyptian capital.

Only the foundations remain of the building, which was uncovered by archaeologists who took about 18 months to remove the 25-foot (7.6-meter) hill of sand that had built up over it, National Geographic said. The pyramid had previously been known as the ``Headless Pyramid,'' or Number 29, according to National Geographic.

King Menkauhor ruled during Egypt's fifth dynasty for eight years in the mid-2,400s B.C., the report said.

To contact the reporter on this story: Thomas Penny in London at tpenny@bloomberg.net

Last Updated: June 6, 2008 08:29 EDT