Queens Pyramid G1-a (Eastern Cemetery, Great Pyramid of Khufu)
G I-a · Pyramid G1a · Hetepheres (?) pyramid
Old Kingdom, early 4th Dynasty·Ancient Egyptian·🇪🇬 Giza Governorate, Giza Plateau, Egypt
About
About Queens Pyramid G1-a (Eastern Cemetery, Great Pyramid of Khufu)
Easternmost of three subsidiary queens pyramids lined north-south along the east flank of Khufu's Great Pyramid (4th Dynasty, c.2580 BCE). Base 49.5 m, height originally 30.5 m at 51° slope, with its own enclosure, mortuary temple chapel and north shaft to burial chamber (finished in limestone, empty, no textual decoration). Attributed tentatively to Queen Meritites I or Henutsen; northern shaft contained fragments of granite sarcophagus and canopic equipment. Recently restored casing at northeast corner shows Tura limestone quality matching Khufu.
Why it mattersEarliest queen pyramid tradition; model for later 4th–6th Dynasty queens fields; reveals Giza master plan symmetry.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Which queen owned G1-a vs G1-b vs G1-c — Reisner vs Lehner attribution
Theories
- 01Hetepheres I buried in G1-a reassembled after Dashur relocation; three queens mirrored Orion or family hierarchy
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.2580–2570 BCE, Khufu reign (4th Dynasty)
- Period
- Old Kingdom, early 4th Dynasty
- Culture
- Ancient Egyptian
- Builders
- Ancient Egyptian (Khufu)
- Purpose
- Queen consort subsidiary tomb within Khufu complex; architectural symmetry and ka cult
- Excavation
- Excavated
c.2580–2570 BCE, Khufu reign (4th Dynasty)
Initial construction
c. 1420 CE
Major expansion
On the ground
Structures & features
29.9795° N · 31.1351° E · 69 m · 2 mapped features
G1-a burial chamber
chamberLimestone chamber below north shaft with granite porch
29.9795° N · 31.1351° EG1-a mortuary chapel
chapelMudbrick chapel on east face with false door stela fragment
29.9795° N · 31.1354° E