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Vol.07.p.022[3]

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Diary Transcription:

microfilm: begin page 22

Wednesday, November 12, 1913 (continued)

[G 4240 A (continued)]
white limestone, some of which show chisel marks.

The work of packing supplies for the Sudan began Monday, also continued.

Thursday, November 13, 1913

Work of clearing the sand from G 4240 A continued.

Friday, November 14, 1913

Work of clearing the sand from G 4240 continued. Although 10 to 12 meters of sand have been removed the top of the chamber has not yet been reached.

Saturday, November 15, 1913

Work of clearing the shaft G 4240 continued. At a depth of 14.2 meters the top of the chamber was found. This passage which like that in G 4140 A had been filled with small squared blocks against which on the outside (the shaft side) rested two long slabs of stone, completely covering the passage had been broken into by robbers bent on plundering the chamber. In recent years (1903) the pit and chamber had been cleared out by Schiaparelli but despite these two visits, we found a very fine portrait head in the debris at the bottom of the shaft. This represents a prince, Sneferu-senib [Snefruseneb], who perhaps was contemporary with Khufu though this is not certain. Such a name however, would more likely be given to a child born during Sneferu's reign than later. The head is life-sized, the features which are asymmetrical, are strikingly European in appearance. The ears are broken and there is a groove on the top of the head but otherwise the head is in perfect condition.
The debris at the bottom of the shaft is composed of small limestone chips.

Sunday, November 16, 1913

(The archive diary kept by Said Ahmed Said begins on this date. See File 33)

Work of clearing the shaft in G 4240 continued. The pit descends below the level of the chamber door: how far remains to be seen. The entrance into the chamber is 1.3 meters high; the large stone which concealed the entrance measuring 170 x 130.25 and being of Mokattam limestone.
From the pit came fragments of various pottery: red washed bowls with open spouts (V shaped); Keneh ware jars; thick black centered brown ware; a plaster cast from inside a large flat bottomed jar. In addition there was a large bowl of alabaster (No. 13-11-59); a jar of alabaster (No. 13-11-58); three fragments from the lid

microfilm: end page 22

Details

  • Classification
    Documentation-Expedition diary pages
  • Department
    Harvard University-Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
  • Credit Line
    Harvard University–Boston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition
  • Display Page Dates
    11/12/1913; 11/13/1913; 11/14/1913; 11/15/1913; 11/16/1913
  • Mentioned on page
    Said Ahmed Said [Diraz] (Reis)
    Khufu
    Snefru
    Snefruseneb (G 4240)
  • Author
    George Andrew Reisner, American, 1867–1942

Tombs and Monuments 2

  • G 4140

    • Site Name Western Cemetery

  • G 4240

    • Site Name Western Cemetery

People 5

Ancient People

  • Khufu

    • Type Mentioned on page
    • Remarks Second king of Dynasty 4, son of Snefru. Builder of the Great Pyramid at Giza, the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing. Known two thousand years later by the Greeks as King Cheops. Horus name: [mDdw] Medjedu. Full birth-name: Khnum-Khufu.

  • Snefru

    • Type Mentioned on page
    • Remarks First king of Dynasty 4. Father of Khufu.

  • Snefruseneb (G 4240)

    • Type Mentioned on page
    • Remarks Owner of G 4240. False door tablet (Cairo JE 43292) depicting Snefruseneb seated at offering table, identified as [sm xrp SnDt aD-mr dp r p nb smr sA nswt n Xt=f] sem-priest, director of the kilt, administrator of Dep, mouth of all Pe, companion, king's son of his body; found in G 4240. Reserve head (13-11-60 = Cairo JE 46215) attributed to Snefruseneb; found in G 4240 A.

Modern People

  • George Andrew Reisner

    • Type Author
    • Nationality & Dates American, 1867–1942
    • Remarks Egyptologist, archaeologist; Referred to as "the doctor" and "mudir" (Arabic for "director") in the excavation records. Nationality and life dates from Who was Who in Egyptology.

  • Said Ahmed Said [Diraz] (Reis)

    • Type Mentioned on page
    • Nationality & Dates
    • Remarks Head Reis for the Harvard-MFA expedition, 1908–1926. In his "A History of the Giza Necropolis I," George A Reisner described Said Ahmed Said as "the most gifted foreman who ever worked for the expedition." Father of Mohammed Said Ahmed [Diraz] (Head Reis 1936–1939), Mahmud Said Ahmed [Diraz] (Translator), Ahmed Said Ahmed [Diraz]. Family name, Diraz, was supplied by Said Ahmed Said's grandsons in 2006.