Tomb of Khufukhaf I

- Giza -

Tomb of Khufukhaf I

George Andrew Reisner
( 1867-1942 )
The tomb of Khufukhaf I, the son of King Khufu and Queen Henutsen was discovered by George Andrew Reisner - an American archaeologist, who headed the excavations in the royal necropolis at the foot of the Great Pyramids of Giza in the beginning of the 20th century.

Khufukhaf I was a prince and priest of the royal administration of the IV Dynasty, who was subsequently rised to the rank of vizier - a honorary title, which was given to the close relatives of the ruling King. In this status, he remained until the end of his father's King Khufu reign, and then during the reign of his brother - King Khafre.

The tomb of Khufukhaf I is located in the royal necropolis of Giza, to the east of the pyramid of his mother, Queen Henutsen, and is listed in the catalog of historical monuments of Giza under the code number G7140.

(Click the image to enlarge)
Source: Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition. (Digital Giza)

The tomb is built in a form of a double mastaba, the northern chapel of which (G7130) is dedicated to his wife Nefretka, and the southern one (G7140) to the Prince Khufukhaf himself. The entrance to the tomb is located on the eastern side of the monument. The only decorated part of the lobby is its western wall, leading to the Main Chamber. On both sides of the doorway at the end of the lobby one can see the bas-reliefs, depicting the deceased with his mother and son.

(Click the image to enlarge)
Source: Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition (Digital Giza)

The tomb of Nefretkau has 2 shafts, marked as (A) and (B) on the scheme above.


(Click the image to enlarge) Source: Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition (Digital Giza)	(Click the image to enlarge) Source: Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition (Digital Giza)

During the archaeological work carried out by the American Egyptologist George Andrew Reisner in the very beginning of the XX century, the remains of the red granite sarcophagus were discovered at the bottom of the shaft (B) in the end of October 1936. No any inscriptions or bas-reliefs were found on it.

Source: Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition (Digital Giza)

The lid of this granite sarcophagus was found by Reisner archeological team outside the tomb, being broken into piesces and reassembled on the roof of mastaba. After combining all it's fragments, it became clear, that the sarcophagus, which had height of 92 cm, had width - 86 cm, length - 226 cm, and wall thickness - 13.5 cm; 18.5 cm and 24 cm; the cover thickness was about 13.5 ~ 15.5 cm.

Source: Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition (Digital Giza)