The Tomb of Khentkaus I at Giza belonged to a queen of the late 4th dynasty. It evolved from an isolated quarry block to a two-stepped pyramid cased in fine white limestone. But the puzzle: intricate palace facade decoration was carved on the southern bedrock side. When was it added? 🤔
Tomb of Khentkawes located on northern edge of main wadi, southern edge of central field of mastabas
EgyptArchitecture
Key facts
- Tomb of Khentkawes located on northern edge of main wadi, southern edge of central field of mastabas
- Khentkawes may have been queen in her own right between 4th-5th dynasties
- Limestone beds composing lower part of tomb are same beds exposed in Sphinx enclosure
- Structure evolved from isolated quarry block to two-step pyramid with masonry step, then cased entirely in fine white Tura limestone
- Intricate palace facade decoration carved onto bedrock along southern length of structure
- Dating problem: decoration could not have been carved when block was active quarry or when structure was cased with limestone
- Decoration only visible on southern side, not on three other sides of structure
Site mentioned
Sources
Your audio guide of Pyramids of Giza - SmartGuidesmart-guide.org
The Pyramid complex of Khentkaus I or Step tomb of Khentkaus I is a Fourth Dynasty two-stepped tomb built for the Queen Mother Khentkaus I in Giza.
History of Pyramid of Khentkaus I - Egypt Tours Gateegypttoursgate.com
Khentkaus I was a strong queen who had a huge impact during her child's rule. Pharaoh Userkaf assembled her pyramid around c. 2494-2487 BCE as her last resting ...
Tomb of Khentkaus - ISIDA Projectisida-project.org
This Tomb belongs to the Queen Khentkaus, who lived during the IV-V Dynasty. Till now no one had yet succeeded in establishing her exact genealogical tree.
Pyramid of Khentkaus I - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
The pyramid of Khentkaus I or step tomb of Khentkaus I is a Fourth Dynasty two-stepped tomb built for the Queen Mother Khentkaus I in Giza.
The Inconspicuous "Pyramid of Khentkaus" in Giza Plateauthearchaeologist.org
The pyramid of Khentkaus I or step tomb of Khentkaus I is a Fourth Dynasty two-stepped tomb built for the Queen Mother Khentkaus I in Giza.
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