Some remarks about the dating of 12 Old Kingdom tombs at Giza
Some remarks about the dating of 12 Old Kingdom tombs at Giza

Summary/Abstract: This paper aims to confirm or revise the dating of a dozen Old Kingdom tombs in the Giza necropolis (precisely Western,G I-South, Eastern and Central Cemeteries), monuments whose chronology is still debated. The 12 mastabas here commented onare often dated to more or less extensive periods, which can sometimes spread over two dynasties. Moreover, when absolutedating is proposed, it is generally based on questionable elements and events with uncertain chronological positioning. TheEgyptian chronology is still subject to perceptive bias and archaeological happenstance, new discoveries being liable tochallenge previous dating. Thus, the present study draws up lists of criteria that give the opportunity to propose clear datingfor each tomb. A wide range of evidence is taken into consideration: decoration (including palaeography), prosopography,anthroponymy, location in the cemeteries, architecture, tomb dimensions, furniture, etc. I believe that an overview of thesevarious aspects is the only way to suggest precise dating for each tomb. Moreover, this paper shows that two main periodsstand out during the whole of the Old Kingdom, periods covering one or two reigns. This conclusion is very interesting forthe architectural and political history of the Old Kingdom; a conclusion we may come to through the distribution of thetombs in the cemeteries, their dimensions and decoration, etc.

• Details
• Contents