Cemetery GIS

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Map of Cemetery G I S Carte-necropole-Gizeh-Sud.jpg
Map of Cemetery G I S

Cemetery GIS is a necropolis in the Giza Plateau. It derives its name from its proximity to pyramid G I (Khufu). The tombs are located on the south side of that pyramid and hence the name G I South Cemetery. Reisner thought the cemetery a continuation of the G7000 cemetery which is part of the Giza East Field. The construction postdates that of mastaba G 7070 of Sneferukhaf. Junker dated the cemetery to the reign of Menkaure based on the presence of granite powder thought to derive from the dressing of the second pyramid at Giza. Reisner allows for a possible construction date dating to the reign of Khafre. [1]

Contents

This cemetery also contains several mastabas built of stone, which date to as late as the 6th Dynasty. Tombs from the time of Menkaure include the mastabas of the royal chamberlain Khaemnefert, the King's son Khufudjedef who was master of the royal largesse, and an official named Niankhre. [2]

Mastabas

The following are a collection of mastabas found in this cemetery. [1] :84:General Map of the Giza Necropolis There are also many shafts without any superstructure that belong to this cemetery, but these have not been included in the table. [2]

Tomb numberName of ownerTitle ownerTime PeriodComments
G I S No.1
(Mastaba I)
4th dynasty (Menkaure)
G I S No.2
(Mastaba III)
KaemnefretRoyal chamberlain4th dynasty (Menkaure)The tomb had 3 shafts and a chapel. A granite sarcophagus inscribed for Khaemnefret was found in the burial chamber of shaft S 66.
G I S No.3
(Mastaba IV)
KhufudjedefMaster of royal reversion-offerings4th dynasty (Menkaure)The tomb had 2 shafts and a chapel. A red granite sarcophagus inscribed for Khufudjedef was found in the burial chamber of shaft S 68.
G I S No.4
(LG 52)
Niankhre4th dynasty (Menkaure)
G I S No.5
(Mastaba VI)
4th dynasty (Menkaure)The mastaba has two burial shafts and a chapel.
G I S No.6
(Mastaba VII)
4th dynasty (Menkaure)The mastaba has two burial shafts and a chapel.
G I S No.8
(Mastaba IX)
SekhemkaRoyal chief, judge and administrator, priest of Maat5th or 6th dynasty (Possibly UnasTeti)A statue of Sekhemka was found in the chapel. Two sons, named Khaemnefret and Ini, are mentioned in scenes in the chapel.
G I S No.9
(Mastaba X)
4th dynasty (Menkaure)The mastaba has two burial shafts.
G I S No.10
(Mastaba XI)
4th dynasty (Menkaure)

Unnumbered tombs from the G I S cemetery include: [2]

Name of ownerTitle ownerTime periodMaterialComments
HeneniOverseer and judge of scribes, sole companion, lector-priest6th dynastyStone mastabaThe tomb has three shafts and a chapel
Isu and Mesheduka-priests6th dynastyMud-brick mastabaThe tomb has nine shafts and a chapel
ItjefInspector of letter carriers6th dynastyMud-brick mastabaThe tomb has two shafts and three serdabs. ALso known as Junker No. 9
IymeryRoyal wab-priest, inspector of royal document scribes of the treasury, inspector of scribes of the royal linen6th dynastyStone mastabaThe tomb has three shafts, a serdab, and a chapel. The tomb is just off the south of G I-S No. 3
KhenutRoyal acquaintance6th dynastyStone mastabaThe tomb has two shafts, two serdabs, and a chapel.
KhnumneferSole companion, keeper of the diadem, inspector of the king's hairdressers6th dynastyStone and brick mastabaThe tomb has two shafts, two serdabs, and a chapel. Also known as Junker No: S 46
Seshemnefer IVDirector of the two thrones in the Mansion of Life, secretary of all secret commands of the king, chief of Batend of 5th to 6th dynasty (Unas to Teti)Stone mastabaPossibly identical with a man named Seshemnefer in G 5170, who was the eldest son of Seshemnefer III (owner of G 5170). Also known as Lepsius 53. Sons: Ptahetep, Neferseshemptah Sheshi, Seshemnefer Tjeti ?, Shetnu?
HetepheresRoyal acquaintance, revered before her husband, priestess of Neithend of 5th to 6th dynastyStone mastabaAlso known as Lepsius 54. The tomb is linked with Lepsius 53, the tomb of Seshemnefer IV
NiankhreInspector of physicians of the Great House, priest of Heka, priest of Horus-who-is-in-Shenwet, priest of Anubis-foremost-of-Sepa.Late 5th to 6th dynastyStone mastabaAlso known as Lepsius 55.
HorSaite PeriodAlso known as Lepsius 101.
Udjahor Psametik-sasekhmet Saite PeriodAlso known as Lepsius 102.
NeferherenptahRoyal sealer of the granaryLate 5th to 6th dynastyRock-cut tombA lintel mentions his wife Nefret, and his children Imgesi, Khuit, Kaemredwy and Keki.
Niankhhathor6th dynastyStone MastabaThe tomb contains 5 shafts and 2 serdabs.
Nishenuka-priest, keeper of the dockyard6th dynastyStone MastabaThe tomb contains 3 shafts. Niankhhathor was the wife of Nishenu.
NisusankhPriest of Khufu, director of members of a phyle, inspector of wab-priests6th dynastyStone MastabaNisuankh's wife was named Khenut, and his son Nisukhons
Niwehebre26th dynastyRock-cut tombNiwehebre's name was found on his sarcophagus.
Ninutjer6th dynastyStone MastabaWife: Henutsen, Son: Nunetjer-nedjes, Daughter: Henutsen-nedjeset
Pedesi26th dynastyRock-cut tomb
PerniankhRower of the bark, administrator of the treasury, royal acquaintance6th dynastyRock-cut tomb
PtahhetepPhysician of the Great House, inspector of ka-priests6th dynastyRock-cut tombProbably son of Seshemnefer IV
Redenptah5th–6th dynastyRock-cut tombWife: Iymerit
Sehetepu TepuJudge, overseer of scribes5th–6th dynastyStone MastabSehetepu Tepu appears several times in the chapel reliefs in the mastaba of Seshemnefer IV. Sons: Senedjemib Imesh, Khenu
Seshemnefer-TjetiSole companion, director of the two thrones, chief of Bat6th dynastyStone MastabaTomb may be part of family complex of Seshemnefer IV.
Tairy26th dynastyRock-cut tomb
TjentiLate 5th to 6th dynastyRock-cut tomb
Tjeri26th dynastyStone Mastaba
TjetutRoyal acquaintance, beloved of her father6th dynastyStone Mastaba

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Reisner, George Andrew, A History of the Giza Necropolis Volume I. Harvard University Press, Cambridge 1942, pp 74, 82–84 and General Map of the Giza Necropolis. PDF from The Giza Archives, 249 MB Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 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, pp 216–228. PDF from The Giza Archives, 29,5 MB Retrieved February 1, 2017.

Coordinates: 29°58′34″N31°07′58″E / 29.9761°N 31.1328°E / 29.9761; 31.1328