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]

Mastabas to the east of the pyramid of Khufu.
Map of the East Field in Giza

The East Field consists of the three Queen's pyramids and a number of mastabas labeled Cemetery G 7000. 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 King Khufu. Usually Queen's pyramids were 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:

The construction of these tombs has been dated to ca year 17-24 of the reign of Khufu. This core was then completed to create a nucleus of eight twin-mastabas by the construction of:

The rest of the eastern field was built around this group of eight twin mastabas. Of these the great mastaba G 7510 of king's son and vizier Ankhhaf stands out due to its size. The construction of several other mastabas can be dated to the time of King Khafra. 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 Khafra as well. Further additions date to the end of the 4th, 5th and 6th dynasty and even later.[2]:70–74

Queen's pyramids

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 numberPyramidName of ownerTitle ownerTime PeriodComments
G 1aHetepheres I


King's wife, king's daughterDynasty IVWife of Sneferu and mother of Khufu.
G 1bMeritites I



King's wifeDynasty IVWife of Khufu
G 1cHenutsen

King's daughterDynasty IVSaid 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 numberTypeName of ownerTitle ownerTime PeriodComments
G 7000XBurial ShaftHetepheres I


King's Wife and King's MotherDynasty 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

Nucleus of Cemetery G 7000

Tomb numberTypeName of ownerTitle ownerTime PeriodComments
G 7110 +7120Double-MastabaKawab and Hetepheres IIEldest king's sonDynasty IV(Khufu)Son and daughter of Khufu.
G 7130 +7140
Double-Mastaba
Khufukhaf I and his wife Nefertkau IIPartial 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 +7220Double-MastabaHordjedef and his wifeKing's son of his body, Count, Keeper of Nekhen, etc.Dynasty IV (time of Khufu)Son of Khufu.
G 7230 +7240Double-MastabaDynasty IV (time of Khufu)
G 7310 +7320Double MastabaBauefre/BabaefKing's sonDynasty IVBȝw.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 +7340Double-MastabaMiddle or late Dynasty IV
G 7410 +7420Double-MastabaMeresankh II and HorbaefMeresankh: King's daughter, King's wife; Horbaef: King's SonEnd of Dynasty IVA daughter Nebtitepites is mentioned in the chapel.
G 7430 +7440 (LG 61)Double-MastabaMinkhaf IKing's son and VizierDynasty IVMinkhaf was a son of Khufu.

The later additions to the cemetery:

Tomb numberTypeName of ownerTitle ownerTime PeriodComments
G 7011Stone-MastabaKhnumwer
G 7050Stone-MastabaNefertkau IKing's daughterDynasty IVDaughter of Sneferu. Mother of Nefermaat II and grandmother of Sneferukhaf.
G 7060 (LG 57)Stone-MastabaNefermaat IIKing's Son and VizierDynasty IV (Khafra)Son of Nefertkau I.
G 7070 (LG 56)Stone-MastabaSneferukhafTreasurer of the King of Lower Egypt, Herdsman of Apis, etc.Mid IV to Dynasty VSon of Nefermaat II.
G 7101Stone-MastabaMerirenefer called QarOverseer 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 7102Stone-MastabaIduOverseer of the great chapel, overseer of scribes of the meret-serfs, etc.Dynasty VI (Pepi I or later)Father of Qar ( G 7101)
G 7111Stone-MastabaLate IV to early Dynasty V
G 7112Mud-brick mastabaDynasty V (reign of Nyuserre Ini)
G 7121Stone-MastabaDynasty IV?Ushabti fragments inscribed for the High Priest of Ptah in Memphis, named Pahemnetjer, were found.
G 7133Stone-MastabaMinankhRoyal acquaintanceLate Dynasty IVKhufukhaf I is mentioned in the tomb.
G 7142Mud-brick mastabaV to Dynasty VI (?)Names of Nabeni and Nebuka appear on lintel.
G 7145 +7147Double-MastabaThe mastaba had 7 burial shafts.
G 7148 +7149Double-MastabaThe mastaba had 5 burial shafts.
G 7150
Stone-Mastaba
Khufukhaf II and his wife KhentkauesKhentkaues is a King's daughter of his bodyDynasty V (time of Nyuserre Ini)Possibly a son of Khufukhaf I.
G 7152Stone-Mastaba SekhemankhptahLate V or Dynasty VI
G 7211Stone-MastabaThere 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 7214Stone and brick Mastaba KaemankhLate Dynasty V or Dynasty VI
G 7215Rock-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 +7246Double-MastabaKhuenptahDynasty VKhuenptah's mother Intkaes and wife Khenut are mentioned.
G 7248Stone and rubble mastaba Mestju ?ka-priestDynasty V or Dynasty VIMestju 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 7249Stone and brick MastabaMenibIV or Dynasty V
G 7331 +7332Double-Mastaba
G 7350Stone-MastabaHetepheres II(?)End of Dynasty IVKawab, Djedefre and Hetepheres II are mentioned in inscriptions.
G 7391Stone-MastabaIteti and his wife SenetankhDynasty VMentioned 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 7411Stone-MastabaKaemtjenent and his wife HathorneferDynasty V
G 7413Rock-cut tomb, stone casingNiankh-Khufu
G 7432Stone-MastabaQarLate Dynasty V
G 7509Shafts onlyMeresankh Isi
G 7510Stone-MastabaAnkhhaf and wife HetepheresAnkhaf: King's Son and VizierDynasty IVHetepheres was a daughter of Sneferu and Hetepheres I.
G 7511Stone-MastabaPtolemaic PeriodShabtis inscribed for Djedhor and Isetreshet.
G 7512Mud-brick mastabaMaakheruV - Dynasty VI
G 7521Mud-brick mastabaNihetep-ptah HepiInspector of palace attendants of the Great HouseWife: Imty, sisters: Inty, Teti and Meresankh. Sons: Sesiheryib, Sesikhemetnu, Sesiwer. Daughters: Wehemre, Shefetnet, Henenti and Nebet.
G 7523Stone-MastabaSedaf IbyOverseer of the Two Houses, director of the broad hallV - Dynasty VI
G 7524Stone-MastabaKayJudge and administrator, preeminent of place, overseer of commissionsXXVI dynasty
G 7530 +7540Stone-MastabaMeresankh IIIKing's daughterLate Dynasty IVMeresanch 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-MastabaDuaenhorKing's sonDynasty IV
G 7560Stone-MastabaMiddle or late Dynasty IV
G 7631Stone MastabaNineferV - Dynasty VI
G 7632Stone-MastabaLate PeriodPeople attested in the tomb are: Nesiptah, Tashamsha, Wahibre, Ahmose, Ankhenes-(?), Hetepef-hesu-(?), Psamtik-seneb, Wadjetirdis, Ankhtef, and Isiskhebit.
G 7650Stone-MastabaAkhethotep and his wife Meritites IIAkhethotep: director of the palace Meritites: King's daughter of his bodyDynasty IVMeritites was a daughter of Khufu.
G 7660 (LG 59)Stone-MastabaKaemsekhemKing's SonLate Dynasty IVSon of Kawab.
G 7690Stone-MastabaIuiInspector of ka-priestsOld Kingdom
G 7710Rock-cut tomb, Stone casingIbyRoyal acquaintance, juridical scribe, secretary, etc.V - Dynasty VI
G 7711Rock-cut tombKhnumdjedefKing's sonV - Dynasty VI
G 7721Rock-cut tombKakherptahDynasty V
G 7750Stone-MastabaMid to late Dynasty IVSons of the owner named Khenuka and Kamenekh are mentioned.
G 7757Stone-MastabaKheperreGeneral (Overseer of the army)Ptolemaic PeriodHis 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-MastabaMindjedefKing's SonDynasty IVMindjedef is a son of Kawab.
G 7772Stone-MastabaDynasty V
G 7788Stone-MastabaXVIII dynasty
G 7792Stone-MastabaXXVI dynastyUshabtis 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 7803Rock-cut tombV - Dynasty VIGraffiti mentioning dates were found in the tomb.[5]:120, Fig. 7, 128
G 7809Mud-brick, rubble mastabaRetiroyal acquaintance, overseer of ka-priestsDynasty V
G 7810Stone-MastabaDjatiKing's sonLate IV or early Dynasty V
G 7814Rock-cut tombKaaperV - Dynasty VI
G 7815Rock-cut tombHapennebtiV - Dynasty VI
G 7820Stone-MastabaNefertkau III and her husband IyneferLate IV or early Dynasty VNefertkau may be a daughter of Meresankh II.
G 7821Rock-cut tombNeferseshemptah Sheshi and his wife Meresankhroyal acquaintance, steward of the Great EstateV - Dynasty VI
G 7822Rock-cut tombMesu and his wife NeferdjesV - Dynasty VI
G 7836Rock-cut tombNebtyherkausDynasty V
G 7837 +7843Rock-cut tombAnkhmareFirst half of Dynasty VTwo separate mastabas were combined into one.[2]:238–239:314
G 7851Rock-cut tombWermeru and his wife IsutkauRoyal wab-priest, priest of Heka, priest of Snefru, priest of KhafreLate V - Dynasty VI
G 7911Mud-brick mastabaNikhasutnisut Scribe, ka-priestV - Dynasty VI
G 7946Mud-brick mastabaNefu and his wife KhenmetsetjuV - Dynasty VI
G 7948 (LG 75)Rock-cut tombKhafreankh and his wife NikahorDynasty V or later
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See also

References

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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
  5. 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.
  6. Dunham, Dows, Bulletin of the Museum of Fine Arts. Volume XXX, Boston 1932, S. 90.
  7. 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.
  • 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.".
  • While still reachable the Giza Archives became Digital Giza in 2011 and is maintained by Harvard. Website can be reached here.

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