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Mastaba of Mereruka, Saqqara 

Mereruka's Mastaba, Saqqara
Cult statue of Mereruka in Mereruka's Mastaba. Photo © Richard Beck.

Mereruka's Mastaba, Saqqara
Ship engraved on the wall of Mereruka's Mastaba. Photo © Richard Beck

Fishing
Relief depicting fishing. Photo Creative Commons License kairoinfo4u.

Fishing
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

Note: This information was accurate when published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

Travel Resources

Article Sources

  1. Mereruka's Mastaba - Fodors.com
  2. The Mastaba for Mereruka - The Pyramids of Egypt
  3. Mereruka Mastaba - OsirisNet


Last updated on December 20, 2010.






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