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Mereruka's Mastaba, Saqqara  A UNESCO World Heritage Site

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

Mereruka's Mastaba is the largest mastaba (flat-topped tomb) in Saqqara and full of fine wall paintings.

The mastaba dates to the 6th Dynasty (2323-2150 BC) and was built for the vizier to Pharaoh Teti, whose pyramid is right next door. The mastaba is shared by Mereruka, his son and his wife.

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

Mereruka's tomb has 32 rooms and is painted with fine scenes of fishing, hunting, metalworking (with dwarfs), sailing, and force-feeding of animals, including a hyena in the statue chamber.

A statue of Mereruka emerging from a niche marks the main offering spot for his cult.

Kagemni's Mastaba adjoins the mastaba of Mereruka and is also well decorated, it appears by the same artist.

Quick Facts

Location: Saqqara, Egypt
Hours: Daily 8-4.
Cost: £e20; additional £e5 to use your camera and £e25 to use your video recorder

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