Armchair Explorations #2
(by Learn for Pleasure on 18th April 2020)
The Giza Project at Harvard University have created a virtual tour of the tomb of Queen Meresankh III.
The Giza Project provides access to a wealth of information about sites, including the Pyramids, on the Giza Plateau in Egypt, including, media and research materials. As part of this project they created the virtual tour Queen Meresankh III’s tomb.
Queen Meresankh III was the daughter of Prince Kawab and Heterpheres II of the Fourth Dynasty in ancient Egypt. Her name is usually understood to mean “she love’s life”. She was married to pharaoh Khafra, and had at least five children – one daughter, Shepsetkau, and four sons, Duaenre, Khenterka, Niuserre and Nebemakhet. She held the royal title of “King’s Wife, Great of Scepter”.
She lived and died in the 26th Century BCE and is believed to have been around 50 when she died. Her tomb is a flat roofed mastaba tomb at Giza and was originally built for her mother. The colours within the tomb are well preserved and it is noted for the high quality of its bas-reliefs and includes ten statues of royal women at the north wall. Take the virtual tour Queen Meresankh III’s tomb and see it’s striking interior for yourself.
Ever wondered what hieroglyphs say? If so, take a look at our Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs for Beginners course with Hieroglyphs expert Dr Bill Manley.