New analysis shows the Wadi Cemetery had two distinct building phases before Khufu's Western Cemetery was built. Small pre-Old Kingdom mastabas survived clearance, suggesting the area was already filled with minor tombs when Khufu selected the spot.
Key facts claimed:
- Wadi cemetery with two building levels existed before clearance for Khufu's Western Cemetery
- Mastaba G2000 (anonymous son of Khufu) occupies area roughly 100x45 m
- Middle layer of dump material contains decayed mud bricks with limestone chips - evidence of demolished buildings
- Reisner noted small pre-Old Kingdom mudbrick and fieldstone mastabas on plateau proper that escaped clearance
- These remains suggest the footprint may have already been filled with minor mastabas when Khufu selected the area
Sources
Giza Before the Fourth Dynasty - Hall of Maathallofmaat.comThe three great 4th Dynasty pyramids of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure were constructed on a north-east/south-west trending ridge which crosses the ...
Ritual and Discourse (Part iii) - The Archaeology of Pharaonic Egyptcambridge.orgThe late Old Kingdom tombs sited further up the wadi display greater uniformity, consisting of a short shaft, one usually not stiffened with ...
[PDF] A GIS-based Study of the Cemetery En Echelon - Refubiumrefubium.fu-berlin.deSeveral smaller mastabas had been built before the initiation of the snDm-ib complex (G 2371, G 2372, G 2373, G 2375, G 2414). The underlying rock under the ...
(PDF) “On the Early History of Giza: The “Lost” Wadi Cemetery (Giza ...academia.eduThe Wadi Cemetery may predate Khufu's Western Cemetery, providing insights into Giza's early necropolis. Reisner's 1903-1904 excavations ...
[PDF] AERAgram newsletter - Ancient Egypt Research Associatesaeraweb.orgAlong with the administrative structures attested in the Wadi el-Jarf Papyri to the north, near Khufu's valley temple, the HeG hosted different sections of one ...
AI-generated text · images from the original sources · always verify with the sources.
