The Giza Plateau in Egypt holds a tantalizing secret that could rewrite the annals of history—an ancient female pharaoh reigning over Egypt during the Old Kingdom, thus claiming the title of the oldest female ruler of a kingdom in recorded history. It's a revelation that promises to illuminate the corridors of Ancient Egyptian history with a newfound brilliance.
In a previous video, I delved into a peculiar pyramid-like structure situated just east of the renowned Khafre and Menkaure Pyramids at Giza. This structure is believed to be the resting place of Khentkawas, a royal woman who graced the era of the fourth and fifth dynasties.
Esteemed scholars posit that she was the daughter of Menkaure and the esteemed spouse of either Shepseskaf or Userkaf, or perhaps even both— the latter being the illustrious founder of Egypt's 5th dynasty.
Designated as Tomb LG100 on the illustrious Giza Plateau, Khentkawas's pyramid-like mastaba stands in close proximity to the pyramid of Menkaure, hinting at an intimate association with this revered monarch of the 4th dynasty.
But who truly was Khentkawas? What mysteries envelop her legacy? A recent scholarly work by Jane Mulder, which I've delved into extensively, offers intriguing insights into this enigmatic figure of ancient royalty.
Her tomb, believed to be the final resting place constructed at Giza, unveiled its secrets during a momentous excavation in 1932 led by Dr. Selim Hassan. Among the treasures unearthed were fragments of the tomb's granite gateway, bearing inscriptions that proclaimed, "King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Mother of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, Daughter of the God, every good thing which she orders is done for her: Khentkawes."
Join us in watching this video, where we embark on a journey to uncover the profound connection between the Pyramid of Khentkawes at Giza and its counterpart at Abusir. Through this exploration, we unveil the possibility that these structures were erected for the same remarkable individual—a queen who wielded her sovereignty over Egypt during the pivotal juncture between the 4th and 5th dynasties of Ancient Egyptian history.
