blogschol1: This Day in African History � Discovery of Pyramid Builder's Cemetery, Giza (About)

Friday, June 10, 2011

This Day in African History � Discovery of Pyramid Builder's Cemetery, Giza (About)

Excavation had been going on for a year following the accidental discovery on
14 April 1990 of a previously unknown mud-brick wall to the south of Heit el-
Shorab (the Wall of the Crow) near the Sphinx, Giza - an American tourist was
thrown from her horse when it tripped.

On 7 June 1991 Dr Zahi Hawiss announced the discovery of the Pyramid Builder's
Cemetery near Giza. The mud-bricks were found to be part of a long, vaulted
tomb owned by Ptah-shepsesu and his wife, who had been buried inside with
their son. Further excavation revealed around 600 graves for workmen and 30
larger tombs, possibly for overseers.

Pottery and other artifacts discovered in the tombs have dated the cemetery
from the reign of Khufu in Dynasty 4, and it is believed to have been in use
until the end of Dynasty 5 - roughly c.2551 to 2323 BCE.

This Day in African History � Discovery of Pyramid Builder's Cemetery, Giza
originally appeared on About.com African History on Tuesday, June 7th, 2011 at
00:10:05.

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