Giza Southern Cemetery

Tomb of Seshemnefer IV

Near the south-east corner of the pyramid of Khufu is the mastaba of Seshemnefer IV, which has been newly restored by the Egyptian Antiquities Organisation, with a new roof, and thorough cleaning of the reliefs. Seshemnefer IV was obviously a favoured official, 'Overseer of the Two Seats of the House of Life', and 'Guardian of the King's Secrets', during Dynasty VI. One of the largest tombs at Giza, Seshemnefer's porticoed tomb has an impressive façade with two columns. At either side of the portico, life-sized seated statues of the deceased official watch out over the Giza Plateau. The vestibule leads to an inner and outer hall and an offering chamber. Scenes within the tomb include reliefs of the deceased, daily life in the Old Kingdom and the usual funerary scenes. There is a sloping burial shaft into which the intrepid visitor is sometimes allowed.



Tomb of Nefermaat (G7060)

This tomb belongs to a group of recently restored and newly opened tombs immediately to the south of Khufu's queens' pyramids. Nefermaat is named as 'King's Son', 'Hereditary Prince', 'Vizier of Khafre' and 'Overlord of Nekheb' during the Dynasty IV reigns of Khufu and Khafre. His mother is named as Nefertkau (probably tomb G7050).The mastaba of this important official and member of the royal family, today consists mainly of the tomb-chapel, which is decorated with the usual agricultural and offering scenes of the period. Nefermaat is depicted in one scene with his wife before scribes and men bringing animals and birds (including cranes) and in another he sits at the banquet with his dog under his chair, being entertained by musicians and clappers. Unfortunately his wife's name is lost in the reliefs, but he is shown in another scene with his son, Senefrkaef, whose tomb (G7070) is adjacent. At the rear of the chamber is a false door of Nefermaat.


Tomb of Senefrukaef (G7070)

Senerfrukaef was the son of Nefermaat, and he was 'Treasurer of the King of Lower Egypt' and 'Herdsman of Apis' during late Dynasty IV to early Dynasty V. His mastaba now consists of the tomb-chapel, decorated with scenes of the owner and his family. On the lintel of the doorway there is an offering text and genealogy of Senefrukaef's family and he is depicted in reliefs in the chapel with his sons. The deceased also has a false door. An uninscribed limestone sarcophagus was found in the burial shaft, which is now in Cairo Museum.


Tomb of Debhen

The tomb of Debhen is a newly restored tomb to the south of Khafre's causeway. His titles were 'Lector Priest' and 'Overseer of the Divine Places of the Great Palace' during the Dynasty IV reign of Menkaure. He seems to have been a favourite of the king who gave this official permission to construct a tomb near his own pyramid as a gift, including white limestone from the royal Tura quarries across the river - an honour which is recorded in the tomb. The tomb is beautifully decorated with interesting unpainted reliefs of daily life, many animals and also a depiction of a dwarf.



Tomb of Yun-min

The tomb of Yun-min (Iun-min) is close to that of Debhen, to the south of Khafre's causeway. Yun-min was the 'Vizier', 'Judge' and eldest son of Menkaure of Dynasty IV. The walls of his tomb-chapel containing two chambers have no reliefs but the doorway of the inner chamber is elaborately decorated.



Photography is no longer allowed inside any of the tombs.