Giza East Field
The East Field is located to the east of the Great Pyramid of Giza and contains cemetery G 7000. This cemetery was a burial place for some of the family members of Khufu. The cemetery also includes mastabas from tenants and priests of the pyramids dated to the 5th and 6th Dynasty.[1]
The East Field consists of the three Queen's pyramids and a number of mastabas labeled Cemetery G 7000. George Andrew Reisner constructed a timeline for the construction of the East Field. The first two Queen's Pyramids, G 1a and G 1b, were likely started in year 15–17 of Khufu's reign. Queen's pyramids were usually constructed to the south of the king's pyramid, but in this instance a quarry was located to the south and the construction of the smaller pyramids was relocated to the east of the main pyramid complex. The earliest part of the cemetery consisted of 12 mastabas which were built as double mastabas. They were laid out in three rows of four tombs:
- G 7110–7120 Kawab and Hetepheres II and G 7130–7140 Khufukhaf I and his wife Nefertkau II
- G 7210–7220 Hordjedef and his wife and G 7230–7240
- G 7310–7320 Baufra and G 7330–7340
The construction of these tombs has been dated to approximately years 17–24 of the reign of Khufu. This core was then completed to create a nucleus of eight twin-mastabas by the construction of:
- G 7410–7420 Meresankh II and Horbaef and G 7430–7440 Minkhaf I
The rest of the eastern field was built around this group of eight twin mastabas. Of these, the great mastaba G 7510 of the prince and vizier Ankhhaf stands out due to its size. The construction of several other mastabas can be dated to the time of Khafre. G 7530–7540, the tomb of Meresankh III, contains quarry inscriptions dating to year 13 of that king. Mastaba G 7050, belonging to Nefertkau I, was built during the reign of Khafre as well. Further additions date to the end of the 4th, 5th and 6th dynasty and even later.[2]: 70–74
Queen's pyramids
[edit]Pyramid G 1a was at first thought to belong to Queen Meritites I but Lehner has shown that the pyramid belonged to Hetepheres I instead. All three pyramids have a square base measuring about 45–49 m on a side. The angle of inclination is about 51° 50‘ for all three.[3]
| Pyramid number | Pyramid | Name of owner | Title owner | Time Period | Comments | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G 1a | .jpg) |
Hetepheres I
|
King's wife, king's daughter | Dynasty IV | Wife of Sneferu and mother of Khufu. | |||||
| G 1b |  |
Meritites I
|
King's wife | Dynasty IV | Wife of Khufu | |||||
| G 1c | .jpg) |
Henutsen
|
King's daughter | Dynasty IV | Said to be a daughter of Khufu on a stela placed in the temple during the 26th dynasty, but more likely to be a wife. |
Shaft tomb:
| Pyramid number | Type | Name of owner | Title owner | Time Period | Comments | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G 7000X | Burial Shaft | Hetepheres I
|
King's Wife and King's Mother | Dynasty IV (time of Sneferu to Khufu) | Her sarcophagus (empty) and funerary equipment were found in this shaft which is located to the north-east of the Queen's pyramids. |
Cemetery G 7000
[edit]Nucleus of Cemetery G 7000
| Tomb number | Type | Name of owner | Title owner | Time Period | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G 7110 +7120 | Double-Mastaba | Kawab and Hetepheres II | Eldest king's son | Dynasty IV(Khufu) | Son and daughter of Khufu. |
| G 7130 +7140 |  Double-Mastaba |
Khufukhaf I and his wife Nefertkau II | Partial title list: Vizier, hereditary prince, administrator of Buto, priest of Khufu, King's son, King's son of his body, Sole companion.[4] | Dynasty IV (Khufu) | Son of Khufu. Was elevated to vizierate after the completion of his tomb. A statue was set up in his chapel to record that. |
| G 7210 +7220 | Double-Mastaba | Hordjedef and his wife | King's son of his body, Count, Keeper of Nekhen, etc. | Dynasty IV (time of Khufu) | Son of Khufu. |
| G 7230 +7240 | Double-Mastaba | Dynasty IV (time of Khufu) | |||
| G 7310 +7320 | Double Mastaba | Bauefre/Babaef | King's son | Dynasty IV | Bȝw.f-Rˁ(other reading Rˁ-bȝw.f) is listed as a Khufu son in Papyrus Westcar, because of this Reisner assigned to him the anonymous G7310+20. Attribution is uncertain. |
| G 7330 +7340 | Double-Mastaba | Middle or late Dynasty IV | |||
| G 7410 +7420 | Double-Mastaba | Meresankh II and Horbaef | Meresankh: King's daughter, King's wife; Horbaef: King's Son | End of Dynasty IV | A daughter Nebtitepites is mentioned in the chapel. |
| G 7430 +7440 (LG 61) | Double-Mastaba | Minkhaf I | King's son and Vizier | Dynasty IV | Minkhaf was a son of Khufu. |
The later additions to the cemetery:
| Tomb number | Type | Name of owner | Title owner | Time Period | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G 7011 | Stone-Mastaba | Khnumwer | |||
| G 7050 | Stone-Mastaba | Nefertkau I | King's daughter | Dynasty IV | Daughter of Sneferu. Mother of Nefermaat II and grandmother of Sneferukhaf. |
| G 7060 (LG 57) | Stone-Mastaba | Nefermaat II | King's Son and Vizier | Dynasty IV (Khafre) | Son of Nefertkau I. |
| G 7070 (LG 56) | Stone-Mastaba | Sneferukhaf | Treasurer of the King of Lower Egypt, Herdsman of Apis, etc. | Mid IV to Dynasty V | Son of Nefermaat II. |
| G 7101 | Stone-Mastaba | Merirenefer called Qar | Overseer of all works, he who is at the head of the king, true royal document scribe in the presence, etc. | Dynasty VI (Pepi I or later) | Son of Idu (G 7102) |
| G 7102 | Stone-Mastaba | Idu | Overseer of the great chapel, overseer of scribes of the meret-serfs, etc. | Dynasty VI (Pepi I or later) | Father of Qar ( G 7101) |
| G 7111 | Stone-Mastaba | Late IV to early Dynasty V | |||
| G 7112 | Mud-brick mastaba | Dynasty V (reign of Nyuserre Ini) | |||
| G 7121 | Stone-Mastaba | Dynasty IV? | Ushabti fragments inscribed for the High Priest of Ptah in Memphis, named Pahemnetjer, were found. | ||
| G 7133 | Stone-Mastaba | Minankh | Royal acquaintance | Late Dynasty IV | Khufukhaf I is mentioned in the tomb. |
| G 7142 | Mud-brick mastaba | V to Dynasty VI (?) | Names of Nabeni and Nebuka appear on lintel. | ||
| G 7145 +7147 | Double-Mastaba | The mastaba had 7 burial shafts. | |||
| G 7148 +7149 | Double-Mastaba | The mastaba had 5 burial shafts. | |||
| G 7150 |  Stone-Mastaba |
Khufukhaf II and his wife Khentkaues | Khentkaues is a King's daughter of his body | Dynasty V (time of Nyuserre Ini) | Possibly a son of Khufukhaf I. |
| G 7152 | Stone-Mastaba | Sekhemankhptah | Late V or Dynasty VI | ||
| G 7211 | Stone-Mastaba | There are 16 burial shafts. Attested are Mereru and Ipty (on a lintel reused in roofing of shaft G 7214 B) and Inkaf (judge, inspector of scribes shaft G 7214 A). | |||
| G 7214 | Stone and brick Mastaba | Kaemankh | Late Dynasty V or Dynasty VI | ||
| G 7215 | Rock-cut tomb | Bendjet? | Dynasty VI? | Bendjet is the daughter of Idu (G 7102) and likely the sister of Qar (G 7101). Nebit, wife of Qar is attested on a doorjamb. The names of Nebenheb, Nedjfu are inscribed on a headrests. Mentioned in inscriptions are Nefrethakhufu (named Sherit?) and Wabha. | |
| G 7244 +7246 | Double-Mastaba | Khuenptah | Dynasty V | Khuenptah's mother Intkaes and wife Khenut are mentioned. | |
| G 7248 | Stone and rubble mastaba | Mestju ? | ka-priest | Dynasty V or Dynasty VI | Mestju may not be the actual owner. He is the owner of a false door which depicts him with his wife Nebuhetep and a daughter Khenut. |
| G 7249 | Stone and brick Mastaba | Menib | IV or Dynasty V | ||
| G 7331 +7332 | Double-Mastaba | ||||
| G 7350 | Stone-Mastaba | Hetepheres II(?) | End of Dynasty IV | Kawab, Djedefre and Hetepheres II are mentioned in inscriptions. | |
| G 7391 | Stone-Mastaba | Iteti and his wife Senetankh | Dynasty V | Mentioned in the tomb are Iteti's sons Washkakhafre, Iteti, and Werkaukhafre, and a daughter named Autib. Also shown are his brother Khafreankh and sister Rudj. | |
| G 7411 | Stone-Mastaba | Kaemtjenent and his wife Hathornefer | Dynasty V | ||
| G 7413 | Rock-cut tomb, stone casing | Niankh-Khufu | |||
| G 7432 | Stone-Mastaba | Qar | Late Dynasty V | ||
| G 7509 | Shafts only | Meresankh Isi | |||
| G 7510 | Stone-Mastaba | Ankhhaf and wife Hetepheres | Ankhaf: King's Son and Vizier | Dynasty IV | Hetepheres was a daughter of Sneferu and Hetepheres I. |
| G 7511 | Stone-Mastaba | Ptolemaic Period | Shabtis inscribed for Djedhor and Isetreshet. | ||
| G 7512 | Mud-brick mastaba | Maakheru | V – Dynasty VI | ||
| G 7521 | Mud-brick mastaba | Nihetep-ptah Hepi | Inspector of palace attendants of the Great House | Wife: Imty, sisters: Inty, Teti and Meresankh. Sons: Sesiheryib, Sesikhemetnu, Sesiwer. Daughters: Wehemre, Shefetnet, Henenti and Nebet. | |
| G 7523 | Stone-Mastaba | Sedaf Iby | Overseer of the Two Houses, director of the broad hall | V – Dynasty VI | |
| G 7524 | Stone-Mastaba | Kay | Judge and administrator, preeminent of place, overseer of commissions | XXVI dynasty | |
| G 7530 +7540 | Stone-Mastaba | Meresankh III | King's daughter | Late Dynasty IV | Meresanch was a daughter of Kawab and wife of king Khafre. Graffiti with mention of years were found in the tomb.[5]: 119, Fig. 7 |
| G 7550 (LG 58) | Stone-Mastaba | Duaenhor | King's son | Dynasty IV | |
| G 7560 | Stone-Mastaba | Middle or late Dynasty IV | |||
| G 7631 | Stone Mastaba | Ninefer | V – Dynasty VI | ||
| G 7632 | Stone-Mastaba | Late Period | People attested in the tomb are: Nesiptah, Tashamsha, Wahibre, Ahmose, Ankhenes-(?), Hetepef-hesu-(?), Psamtik-seneb, Wadjetirdis, Ankhtef, and Isiskhebit. | ||
| G 7650 | Stone-Mastaba | Akhethotep and his wife Meritites II | Akhethotep: director of the palace Meritites: King's daughter of his body | Dynasty IV | Meritites was a daughter of Khufu. |
| G 7660 (LG 59) | Stone-Mastaba | Kaemsekhem | King's Son | Late Dynasty IV | Son of Kawab. |
| G 7690 | Stone-Mastaba | Iui | Inspector of ka-priests | Old Kingdom | |
| G 7710 | Rock-cut tomb, Stone casing | Iby | Royal acquaintance, juridical scribe, secretary, etc. | V – Dynasty VI | |
| G 7711 | Rock-cut tomb | Khnumdjedef | King's son | V – Dynasty VI | |
| G 7721 | Rock-cut tomb | Kakherptah | Dynasty V | ||
| G 7750 | Stone-Mastaba | Mid to late Dynasty IV | Sons of the owner named Khenuka and Kamenekh are mentioned. | ||
| G 7757 | Stone-Mastaba | Kheperre | General (Overseer of the army) | Ptolemaic Period | His mother Tashereteniset was buried here as well. The sarcophagus is now in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.[6] |
| G 7760 (LG 60) | Stone-Mastaba | Mindjedef | King's Son | Dynasty IV | Mindjedef is a son of Kawab. |
| G 7772 | Stone-Mastaba | Dynasty V | |||
| G 7788 | Stone-Mastaba | XVIII dynasty | |||
| G 7792 | Stone-Mastaba | XXVI dynasty | Ushabtis were found with names: Wahibre, Denitptah, Denitenkhonsu, Tasheri-ihet, and Patjenef. A statue of Osiris is now in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.[7] | ||
| G 7803 | Rock-cut tomb | V – Dynasty VI | Graffiti mentioning dates were found in the tomb.[5]: 120, Fig. 7, 128 | ||
| G 7809 | Mud-brick, rubble mastaba | Reti | royal acquaintance, overseer of ka-priests | Dynasty V | |
| G 7810 | Stone-Mastaba | Djati | King's son | Late IV or early Dynasty V | |
| G 7814 | Rock-cut tomb | Kaaper | V – Dynasty VI | ||
| G 7815 | Rock-cut tomb | Hapennebti | V – Dynasty VI | ||
| G 7820 | Stone-Mastaba | Nefertkau III and her husband Iynefer | Late IV or early Dynasty V | Nefertkau may be a daughter of Meresankh II. | |
| G 7821 | Rock-cut tomb | Neferseshemptah Sheshi and his wife Meresankh | royal acquaintance, steward of the Great Estate | V – Dynasty VI | |
| G 7822 | Rock-cut tomb | Mesu and his wife Neferdjes | V – Dynasty VI | ||
| G 7836 | Rock-cut tomb | Nebtyherkaus | Dynasty V | ||
| G 7837 +7843 | Rock-cut tomb | Ankhmare | First half of Dynasty V | Two separate mastabas were combined into one.[2]: 238–239 : 314 | |
| G 7851 | Rock-cut tomb | Wermeru and his wife Isutkau | Royal wab-priest, priest of Heka, priest of Snefru, priest of Khafre | Late V – Dynasty VI | |
| G 7911 | Mud-brick mastaba | Nikhasutnisut | Scribe, ka-priest | V – Dynasty VI | |
| G 7946 | Mud-brick mastaba | Nefu and his wife Khenmetsetju | V – Dynasty VI | ||
| G 7948 (LG 75) | Rock-cut tomb | Khafraankh and his wife Herenka | Dynasty V or later |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Porter, Bertha and Moss, Rosalind L. B., Topographical Bibliography of Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic Texts, Reliefs, and Paintings. Volume III. Memphis. Part I. Abû Rawâsh to Abûṣîr. 2nd edition, revised and augmented by Jaromír Málek, The Clarendon Press, Oxford 1974. PDF from The Giza Archives, 29,5 MB Retrieved February 10, 2017.
- ^ a b Reisner, George Andrew, A History of the Giza Necropolis Volume I. Harvard University Press, Cambridge 1942, pp 70–74, 238–239, 318. PDF from The Giza Archives, 249 MB Retrieved February 10, 2017.
- ^ Verner, Miroslav, The Pyramids. The Mystery, Culture, and Science of Egypt's Great Monuments. Atlantic, London, 2001, ISBN 0-8021-3935-3, pp. 210–212, 462.
- ^ Simpson, William Kelly, Giza Mastabas Vol.3:The Mastabas of Kawab, Khafkhufu I and II. Boston: Museum of Fine Arts, 1978, ISBN 0-87846-120-5, pp 9–20.PDF from The Giza Archives, 58 MB
- ^ a b Smith, William Stevenson, Inscriptional Evidence for the History of the Fourth Dynasty. Journal of Near Eastern Studies, Volume XI, University of Chicago Press, Chicago No. 2, April 1952, pp 119–120, 128, Fig. 7–8. PDF from The Giza Archives, 2,53 MB Retrieved February 10, 2017.
- ^ Dunham, Dows, Bulletin of the Museum of Fine Arts. Volume XXX, Boston 1932, S. 90.
- ^ Dunham, Dows, The Late Egyptian Gallery Rearranged. Bulletin of the Museum of Fine Arts, Volume XXIX, No. 172, Boston 1931, S. 26. PDF from The Giza Archives, 338 KB Retrieved February 10, 2017.
External links
[edit]- The Giza Archives Website maintained by the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Quote: "This website is a comprehensive resource for research on Giza. It contains photographs and other documentation from the original Harvard University – Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition (1904 to 1947), from recent MFA fieldwork, and from other expeditions, museums, and universities around the world.".