RUSSIAN ARCHAEOLOGICAL MISSION IN GIZA season 1998 Director of the mission Dr. Eleonora Kormysheva

Russian archaeological mission (Institute of Oriental Studies, Russian Academy of Sciences) in the rock-tomb G 7948 at Giza, East field, are held from 1996. The mission consists of Mikhail Tchegodaev (archaeologist), Dr. Olga Tomachevitch (epigraphist), Dr. Tatjana Baskakova (egyptologist). In the season 1998 participated also Dr. Josef Dorner (surveyer), Peter Janosi (archaeologist), Sylvie Marchand (ceramologist), Dr.Francis Janot (anthropologist), Dr. Myriam Wissa (litologyst).

During the previous seasons the new tomb was cleaned. It is situated at the norhern part of the funerary chapel of Khafreankh. The tomb was cut in the rock after distruction of the northern wall of Khafreankh finerary chapel. There were found a slope for sarcophagus led to the funerary chamber. Another shaft and funerary chamber were cleaned at the northern end of this tomb (see Orientalia, vol.67, 1998, p.343-344).

The activity of the season 1998 was concentrated on cleaning of the funerary chamber of Khafreankh, on the surveying the area, studying the pottery, bones and stones, recording the relieves, studying the inscriptions. In process of surveying the tomb G 7948 effectuated by Dr. Josef Dorner, and Dr. Peter Janosi. the necessary topographical data were obtained. During the topographical investigation of the tomb a new shaft situated immediately to the north of the entrance and sided with the outer wall of the tomb G 7948, was found.

The specific burial place in form of the irregular rectangular spaces by three from each side was cleaned at the bottom of the funerary chamber of Khafreankh. The pieces of the wooden colored coffin which was placed inside the stone bed cut from the rock were found. On the western side of the funerary chamber there are two holes. The burial was completely covered by stones, which were evacuated outside from the burial chamber. Several of them contain the hieratic signs. Other important features regarding construction of the funerary chamber were discovered.

During the cleaning there were found the ceramics which was used to fasten the stones, and the rest of the different kind of pottery. Several pieces were restored, among them an amphora for oil produced in Palestine. It contains special mark of producer. So called Medum cup was also found having been placed near the head of the dead.

There were discovered original feathures in the construction of the burial shaft and chamber of Herenka. The bench western side has to be also noticed.

The copying of the relieves and studying the inscriptions and pictures were continued. The inner facets of the false-door of Khafreankh, which is inscribed with hieroglyphs, was investigated as well as the inner facets of the statue niche. The five false-doors contain five lintels, and three false-door stelae. The drums of the false-doors contain the names Khafreankh (twice), the name of his wife Herenka, and the name of the women Ishepet.

Behind the false doors of Herenka, Hrmrw and Ishepet, there was discovered a rectangular space of irregular form with little steps on each sides similar to those on the sides of shafts.

Institute of Oriental Studies, Rojdestvenka 12, Moscow 103031
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© Institute of Oriental Studies, 1998