Chepseskaf was an Old Kingdom Egyptian pharaoh and the last king of the Fourth Dynasty. Unlike his predecessors, he did not build a pyramid, but rather a mastaba, which makes him less famous in Egyptian history. This article will focus on the most salient aspects of his reign and the associated archaeological finds.
The reign of Chepseskaf
Shepseskaf probably succeeded his father Mykerinos and reigned around 2500 BC. Information about his reign is limited, but he is generally considered to have reigned for a short time, perhaps only four to five years.
The Mastaba of Chepseskaf
Unlike his Fourth Dynasty predecessors, Chepseskaf did not build a pyramid for himself, but instead opted for a mastaba, a bench-like burial structure. His mastaba, called the “Mastabat al-Fir'aun”, is located in Saqqara, near the pyramid of Djoser. This choice of tomb marks a significant change in the royal architectural tradition of the time.
The Chepseskaf Mastaba is built of limestone and is approximately 99 meters long, 75 meters wide and 18 meters high. Although smaller and less elaborate than the pyramids of its predecessors, the mastaba of Chepseskaf bears witness to the evolution of Egyptian burial practices.
Archaeological discoveries
Archaeological excavations have been carried out around the mastaba of Chepseskaf, although the finds are fewer than for the pyramids of its predecessors. The mastaba itself has been explored, revealing details about its structure and design. Archaeologists have also uncovered inscriptions and statue fragments that provide insight into the life and reign of Chepseskaf.
Chepseskaf is an unsung Fourth Dynasty pharaoh, in part because of his choice to be buried in a mastaba rather than a pyramid. Nonetheless, his mastaba offers an interesting insight into the evolution of Egyptian burial practices and the transition between Old Kingdom architectural periods. Archaeological finds related to Chepseskaf continue to contribute to our understanding of this period of Egyptian history.
📋 LIST OF EGYPTIAN SOVEREIGNS 📋
Hotepsekhemwey / Sneferka / Nebra / ninetjer / Senedj / Noubnefer / Horus Ba / Peribsen / Sekhemib / Khasekhemwy / Neferkasokar / | |||
Djoser / Sanakht / Sekhemkhet / Spoon / Huni | |||
Sekhemre-Khutaouy Amenemhat-/Sobekhotep I/Sekhemkare Amenemhat-Senbef/Sekhemkare Amenemhat V/Ameny-Qemaou/Hotepibre Qémaou-Sa-Hornejhéritef/Ioufeni/Séânkhibrê Amény-Antef-Amenemhat (or Amenemhat VI)/Semenkarê Nebnoun/Sehotepibrê Sousekhtaouy | |||
Sekhaenre Yakbim/Nebuuserre Yaammou/Khauserre Qareh | |||
Semqen/Aper-Anat/Sakir-Har/Khyan/Apophis I/Apophis II?/Khamoudy | |||
/Sekhemre-Sementaouy Djehouty/Sekhemre-Sousertaouy Sobekhotep VIII | |||
Twenty-first dynasty | |||
Twenty-second dynasty | |||
Twenty-third dynasty | |||
Twenty-fourth dynasty | |||
1st Persian Dynasty | |||
Thirty-first dynasty (Achaemenid) | 2nd Persian Dynasty | ||