• About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Archaeology News
  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum
Archaeology News
No Result
View All Result
Home News Archaeology

Stone blocks from reign of King Khufu discovered in Egypt

by Dario Radley
June 15, 2022

An array of granite stone blocks from the time of King Khufu has been unearthed by an Egyptian-German archaeological mission working in Matariya.

Stone blocks from reign of King Khufu discovered in Egypt
Stone blocks from reign of King Khufu. Credit : Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

The discovery took place in Heliopolis, and it also encompassed a collection of rare artifacts. These stones may have once constituted a section of a structure that was originally positioned near the Pyramids of Giza.

Khufu, also known as Cheops in Greek, was an ancient Egyptian ruler who served as the second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty, reigning from approximately 2575 BCE to 2465 BCE. He is widely acknowledged for having commissioned the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza, which stands as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The mission was actively excavating within the historic city of Heliopolis, an influential hub that served as the capital of the Heliopolite Nome of Lower Egypt and held substantial religious significance.

During their explorations, archaeologists came upon substantial granite blocks amidst the ruins of the Sun Temple, situated in proximity to the obelisk of Senusret I. This finding marks the initial encounter with artifacts from the era of King Khufu in the Ain Shams region.

RelatedStories

British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet

British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet

June 30, 2025
New study reveals ritual purpose behind the destruction of Queen Hatshepsut’s statues

New study reveals ritual purpose behind the destruction of Queen Hatshepsut’s statues

June 26, 2025

The discovery is “the first time that antiquities from King Khufu’s reign are discovered in this area,” noted Mustafa Waziri, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in a statement on June 13th. “The purpose of these stone blocks is still enigmatic – they could have constituted a heretofore undiscovered structure, or they might have been relocated from the vicinity of the Giza pyramids to be repurposed during the Ramesside era. During this period, it was customary to employ stones sourced from earlier historical edifices.”

Khufu, also known as Cheops in Greek, was an ancient Egyptian ruler who served as the second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty, reigning from approximately 2575 BCE to 2465 BCE. He is widely acknowledged for having commissioned the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza, which stands as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

The mission was actively excavating within the historic city of Heliopolis, an influential hub that served as the capital of the Heliopolite Nome of Lower Egypt, and held substantial religious significance. During their explorations, archaeologists came upon substantial granite blocks amidst the ruins of the Sun Temple, situated in proximity to the obelisk of Senusret I. This finding marks the initial encounter with artifacts from the era of King Khufu in the Ain Shams region.

“This marks the premiere instance of identifying relics that originate from King Khufu’s era within this locale,” noted Mustafa Waziri, the Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, in a statement on June 13th.

The purpose of these stone blocks is still enigmatic. “Those blocks may have been parts of an unknown building or may have been moved from the Giza pyramids area to be used as building materials during the Ramesside era (which encompassed the 19th and 20th Dynasties), a period in which the use of stones from historically older buildings was common.”

In the course of excavations, an assortment of sarcophagi and altars dating back to the eras of Amenemhat IV, Sobekhotep IV, Ay, Seti I, Osorkon I, Takelot I, and Psamtik I emerged.

Additionally, a sculptural representation crafted from quartz, mimicking the form of the Sphinx of King Amenhotep II, was brought to light. Not to be overshadowed, the base of a statue depicting King Amasis (Ahmose II) and the foundation of a colossal monkey statue, carved from pink granite and resembling a baboon, were also among the discoveries.

The researchers also unveiled strata of archaeology stretching back to the Zero Dynasty (Naqada III period), intermixed with layers containing fragments of pottery. These remnants provide indications of religious and ritualistic engagements during the third millennium BCE. Furthermore, a fragment of granite inscribed with the visage of Horus, attributed to King Pepi I (2280 BCE), was among the findings.

The collaborative Egyptian-German mission continues its persistent endeavors, diligently working to finalize their excavations and document their recent discovery.

Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities

ShareTweetShareShareSend

You May Also Like...

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds
Archaeology

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds

July 1, 2025
Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact
Anthropology

Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact

July 1, 2025
British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet
Archaeology

British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet

June 30, 2025
Intact 7th century Etruscan tomb discovered in San Giuliano necropolis near Rome
Archaeology

Intact 7th century Etruscan tomb discovered in San Giuliano necropolis near Rome

June 30, 2025
DNA reveals female-centered society in 9,000-year-old Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük
Anthropology

DNA reveals female-centered society in 9,000-year-old Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük

June 29, 2025
Rare 1,800-year-old Roman soldier’s wrist purse unearthed in Czech Republic reveals life on the empire’s frontier
Archaeology

Rare 1,800-year-old Roman soldier’s wrist purse unearthed in Czech Republic reveals life on the empire’s frontier

June 28, 2025

Follow us


Instagram
247K

Facebook
110K

Threads
43K

LinkedIn
12K

Twitter
6K

YouTube
1K
  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

Viking age DNA reveals 9,000-year-old HIV-resistant gene originating near the Black Sea

May 18, 2025
Genetic study reveals the origin and diversity of the Huns

European Huns were not of Turkic origin but had ancient Siberian roots, linguistic study reveals

June 24, 2025
Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

Secrets of the mysterious Gobi wall revealed: archaeologists uncover imperial purpose behind 200-mile structure

May 28, 2025
Rare 1,800-year-old Roman soldier’s wrist purse unearthed in Czech Republic reveals life on the empire’s frontier

Rare 1,800-year-old Roman soldier’s wrist purse unearthed in Czech Republic reveals life on the empire’s frontier

June 28, 2025
Sinkhole in York uncovers remains of medieval St Leonard’s Hospital, one of northern England’s largest

Sinkhole in York uncovers remains of medieval St Leonard’s Hospital, one of northern England’s largest

June 22, 2025
$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

$1 million prize offered to decipher 5,300-year-old Indus Valley script

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

Oldest ever genetic data from a human relative found in 2-million-year-old fossilized teeth

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius' eruption

A 21-year-old student successfully deciphered the first word from the Herculaneum scrolls, charred during Mount Vesuvius’ eruption

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

New evidence reveals the source of mercury in the mausoleum of the first Qin emperor

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado's expedition

Oldest US firearm discovered in Arizona: a 500-year-old relic of Coronado’s expedition

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds

Early humans used ochre for advanced toolmaking at Blombos Cave, study finds

July 1, 2025
Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact

Ancient DNA reveals rare leprosy strain in the Americas thousands of years before European contact

July 1, 2025
British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet

British archaeologists uncover lost Egyptian city of Imet with rare tower houses and temple to cobra goddess Wadjet

June 30, 2025
Intact 7th century Etruscan tomb discovered in San Giuliano necropolis near Rome

Intact 7th century Etruscan tomb discovered in San Giuliano necropolis near Rome

June 30, 2025
DNA reveals female-centered society in 9,000-year-old Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük

DNA reveals female-centered society in 9,000-year-old Neolithic city of Çatalhöyük

June 29, 2025

Archaeology News online magazine

Archaeology News is an international online magazine that covers all aspects of archaeology.











Categories

  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • Download
  • Game
  • News
    • Anthropology
    • Archaeology
    • Paleontology
  • Quiz
  • Tours

Subscribe to our newsletter

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved.

  • About
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Donation
  • Contact

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

  • Home
  • News
    • Archaeology
    • Anthropology
    • Paleontology
  • Academics
    • Books
    • Conferences
    • Universities
  • Articles
  • VR Tours
  • Quiz & Game
  • Download
  • Encyclopedia
  • Forum

About  .  Contact  .  Donation

© 2024 - Archaeology News Online Magazine. All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to improve your experience and enable functionality and security of this site. Further detail is available in our Privacy Policy. By accepting all cookies, you consent to our use of cookies and use of data.