The Mastaba of Kaihai – Where the Cemeteries of Weserkaf and Teti Meet

Author: Naguib Kanawati | Pages: 347–362

Abstract

The recently discovered mud-brick mastaba of Kaihai is situated to the north-west of the Teti cemetery. Architectural, artistic and inscriptional evidence from the tomb suggest a date in the reign of Niuserre or presumably shortly after. A wooden stele fitted into the southern niche of the chapel bears some interesting and unusual features. A study of the very rare names of the tomb owner and his wife, Seperierankh, may hint at a relationship to Kaihai of the Wenis cemetery (one of the owners of the well known tomb of Nefer and Kaihai) and to Kaiemheset, whose mastaba is to the west of the Teti pyramid, all perhaps being the descendants of Nesutnefer of Giza (G4970). If so, this may reflect the possible need of the kings at the end of the Fifth Dynasty to rely in their likely struggle with the powerful priesthood on the descendants of the Fourth Dynasty officials who lost some of their privileges with the advent of the Fifth Dynasty. These officials appear to have continued to be buried at Giza, and moved to Saqqara with the apparent shift in royal policy late in the Fifth Dynasty.

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