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]
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 number
Name of owner
Title owner
Time Period
Comments
G I S No.1 (Mastaba I)
4th dynasty (Menkaure)
G I S No.2 (Mastaba III)
Kaemnefret
Royal chamberlain
4th 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)
Khufudjedef
Master of royal reversion-offerings
4th 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)
Niankhre
4th 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)
Sekhemka
Royal chief, judge and administrator, priest of Maat
Possibly 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?
Hetepheres
Royal acquaintance, revered before her husband, priestess of Neith
end of 5th to 6th dynasty
Stone mastaba
Also known as Lepsius 54. The tomb is linked with Lepsius 53, the tomb of Seshemnefer IV
Niankhre
Inspector 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 dynasty
Stone mastaba
Also known as Lepsius 55.
Hor
Saite Period
Also known as Lepsius 101.
Udjahor Psametik-sasekhmet
Saite Period
Also known as Lepsius 102.
Neferherenptah
Royal sealer of the granary
Late 5th to 6th dynasty
Rock-cut tomb
A lintel mentions his wife Nefret, and his children Imgesi, Khuit, Kaemredwy and Keki.
Niankhhathor
6th dynasty
Stone Mastaba
The tomb contains 5 shafts and 2 serdabs.
Nishenu
ka-priest, keeper of the dockyard
6th dynasty
Stone Mastaba
The tomb contains 3 shafts. Niankhhathor was the wife of Nishenu.
Nisusankh
Priest of Khufu, director of members of a phyle, inspector of wab-priests
6th dynasty
Stone Mastaba
Nisuankh's wife was named Khenut, and his son Nisukhons
Giza East Field – including the Queen's Pyramids from the Khufu pyramid complex and royal cemetery G 7000
Giza West Field – including cemeteries G 1000, G 1100, G 1200 and G 5000.
External links
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.
^ abcPorter, 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.