An array of granite stone blocks from the time of King Khufu has been unearthed by an Egyptian-German archaeological mission working in Matariya.

Stone blocks from reign of King Khufu. Credit : Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The discovery took place in Heliopolis, and it also encompᴀssed a collection of rare artifacts. These stones may have once consтιтuted a section of a structure that was originally positioned near the Pyramids of Giza.

Khufu, also known as Cheops in Greek, was an ancient Egyptian ruler who served as the second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty, reigning from approximately 2575 BCE to 2465 BCE. He is widely acknowledged for having commissioned the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza, which stands as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The mission was actively excavating within the historic city of Heliopolis, an influential hub that served as the capital of the Heliopolite Nome of Lower Egypt and held substantial religious significance.

During their explorations, archaeologists came upon substantial granite blocks amidst the ruins of the Sun Temple, situated in proximity to the obelisk of Senusret I. This finding marks the initial encounter with artifacts from the era of King Khufu in the Ain Shams region.

The discovery is “the first time that antiquities from King Khufu’s reign are discovered in this area,” noted Mustafa Waziri, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in a statement on June 13th. “The purpose of these stone blocks is still enigmatic – they could have consтιтuted a heretofore undiscovered structure, or they might have been relocated from the vicinity of the Giza pyramids to be repurposed during the Ramesside era. During this period, it was customary to employ stones sourced from earlier historical edifices.”

Khufu, also known as Cheops in Greek, was an ancient Egyptian ruler who served as the second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty, reigning from approximately 2575 BCE to 2465 BCE. He is widely acknowledged for having commissioned the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza, which stands as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The mission was actively excavating within the historic city of Heliopolis, an influential hub that served as the capital of the Heliopolite Nome of Lower Egypt, and held substantial religious significance. During their explorations, archaeologists came upon substantial granite blocks amidst the ruins of the Sun Temple, situated in proximity to the obelisk of Senusret I. This finding marks the initial encounter with artifacts from the era of King Khufu in the Ain Shams region.

“This marks the premiere instance of identifying relics that originate from King Khufu’s era within this locale,” noted Mustafa Waziri, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in a statement on June 13th.

The purpose of these stone blocks is still enigmatic. “Those blocks may have been parts of an unknown building or may have been moved from the Giza pyramids area to be used as building materials during the Ramesside era (which encompᴀssed the 19th and 20th Dynasties), a period in which the use of stones from historically older buildings was common.”

In the course of excavations, an ᴀssortment of sarcophagi and altars dating back to the eras of Amenemhat IV, SobekH๏τep IV, Ay, Seti I, Osorkon I, Takelot I, and Psamtik I emerged.

Additionally, a sculptural representation crafted from quartz, mimicking the form of the Sphinx of King AmenH๏τep II, was brought to light. Not to be overshadowed, the base of a statue depicting King Amasis (Ahmose II) and the foundation of a colossal monkey statue, carved from pink granite and resembling a baboon, were also among the discoveries.

The researchers also unveiled strata of archaeology stretching back to the Zero Dynasty (Naqada III period), intermixed with layers containing fragments of pottery. These remnants provide indications of religious and ritualistic engagements during the third millennium BCE. Furthermore, a fragment of granite inscribed with the visage of Horus, attributed to King Pepi I (2280 BCE), was among the findings.

The collaborative Egyptian-German mission continues its persistent endeavors, diligently working to finalize their excavations and document their recent discovery.

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities