Tomb of Hetepheres, Royal tomb near the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt
The Tomb of Hetepheres is a royal burial chamber carved beneath the limestone plateau at the foot of the Great Pyramid, with adjoining storage rooms for grave goods. The interior holds an alabaster sarcophagus and remains of wooden furniture along with various everyday objects.
The tomb was constructed during the Fourth Dynasty for Queen Hetepheres I, wife of Pharaoh Sneferu and mother of Pharaoh Khufu. Evidence suggests the queen was originally buried elsewhere and later moved to this location.
The tomb demonstrates the high status and importance of royal women in ancient Egyptian society and the valuable objects prepared for their journey in the afterlife. The surviving furniture and jewelry pieces reveal the luxury and craftsmanship available to the royal family.
The burial chamber itself is not open to visitors, but the artifacts discovered inside are displayed at the Cairo Museum where they can be examined. The excavation site remains restricted to researchers who continue studying the architectural design.
The empty alabaster sarcophagus poses a mystery that led researchers to conclude the queen was originally buried elsewhere before being moved. This relocation likely reflects security measures or ritual practices of that era.
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