Mastaba of Mereruka, Saqqara 
Cult statue of Mereruka in Mereruka's Mastaba. Photo © Richard Beck.
Ship engraved on the wall of Mereruka's Mastaba. Photo © Richard Beck
Relief depicting fishing. Photo
kairoinfo4u.
More fishing in another relief. Photo © Richard Beck
Location map and aerial view of Mastaba of Mereruka. For a larger interactive view, see our Saqqara Map.
Mereruka's Mastaba is the largest mastaba (flat-topped tomb) in Saqqara, best known for its interior reliefs and murals.
History
The mastaba dates from the 6th Dynasty (2323-2150 BC) in the Old Kingdom period. It was built for Mereruka, the vizier to Pharaoh Teti (whose pyramid is next door), his wife Watethathor and his son Meryteti.
Excavations of Mereruka's Mastaba began in 1892 under Jacques de Morgan.
What to See
The mastaba contains 32 rooms, decorated with painted reliefs of everyday Egyptian life: fishing, hunting, metalworking (with dwarfs), sailing, and force-feeding animals, including a hyena. A standing statue of Mereruka emerges dynamically from a niche, marking the center of his cult and the place for offerings.
Kagemni's Mastaba adjoins the mastaba of Mereruka and is also well-decorated; probably by the same artist since similar scenes appear in both.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Mastaba of Mereruka |
| Location: | Saqqara, Egypt |
| Faith: | Ancient Egyptian |
| Dedication: | Mereruka |
| Categories: | Graves and Tombs; Chambered Tombs; World Heritage Sites |
| Architecture: | Egyptian |
| Date: | c.2200 BC |
| Status: | monument |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Saqqara, Egypt |
| Coordinates: | 29.875969° N, 31.221014° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
Travel Resources
- Saqqara Map - our detailed interactive map of Saqqara, plus hand-picked links to more
- Saqqara Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
Article Sources
- Mereruka's Mastaba - Fodors.com
- The Mastaba for Mereruka - The Pyramids of Egypt
- Mereruka Mastaba - OsirisNet
Last updated on December 20, 2010.
