On the Early History of Giza: The ‘Lost' Wadi Cemetery (Giza Archives Gleanings,III) *

Abstract

The earliest excavations undertaken by George A. Reisner at Giza are summarised, including a little-known area dubbed the Wadi Cemetery, to the north of the Western Cemetery plateau. This area, excavated as early as 1904 and then covered and lost under subsequent Western Cemetery clearance dumps, may hold the key to understanding the earliest chronological development of the Giza Necropolis prior to and during the early reign of Khufu. Selected inscribed objects are considered, particularly the lintel of a baker named Nebu, and comparisons to other areas of modest mud brick cemeteries at Giza and elsewhere are suggested.