Meres Ankh III
Our article will discuss one of the most significant tombs located in the eastern cemetery of the renowned Cheops’ great pyramid. This particular tomb is attributed to Queen Meres Ankh, a highly prominent and influential female figure within the royal family of King Khufu. The following aspects will be explored:

  • The inscriptions on the walls of Queen Meres Ankh’s tomb, shed light on her identity.
  • The precise location of the tomb.
  • The intriguing story behind the discovery of this tomb.
  • A detailed description of the tomb’s architecture.
  • The captivating writings and scenes that await visitors upon entering the tomb.
    Before delving into the grandeur of this tomb, it is essential that we familiarize ourselves with its esteemed owner.
    Who exactly is Queen Meres Ankh?
    She is the daughter of Prince Kawaab, the eldest son of Khufu and the esteemed high priest. Kawaab was destined to succeed Khufu on the throne, but unfortunately, he passed away before that could happen. Queen Meres Ankh’s mother is Queen HetepHeres II, and she is the granddaughter of King Khufu, the illustrious “Owner of the Great Pyramid.” Meres Ankh entered into matrimony with King Khafrea, the distinguished “Owner of the Second Pyramid,” and together they bore five children, including a daughter named Shepsetkau and four sons: Duaenre, Nobhotep, Niuserre, and Khenterka. Queen Meres Ankh’s sudden demise led to her burial 272 days after her passing, as indicated by the inscriptions found at the entrance of her tomb, as described in the archaeological records.
  • Her titles on the walls of her tomb are:
  • The daughter of the king
  • The king’s wife

Meresankh III, born during the reign of Kheops, was the daughter of Kawab and Hetepheres II, making her a granddaughter of the king. Despite her father never ascending to the throne, she held the title “daughter of the king” in her titulary. This designation may not be strictly literal and could potentially signify her status as a granddaughter of the king. Another explanation could be that Meres Ankh became the stepdaughter of King Djedefre following her father’s passing.

After her husband’s passing, she survived for a brief period before passing away in the initial stages of Mykerinos’ reign. It appears that no arrangements were made for her burial, suggesting that her death was sudden. In a generous gesture, her mother, Hetepheres II, offered her own mastaba tomb, identified as G 7530-7540, along with a sarcophagus for the interment of Meres Ankh III. The burial chamber housed a sarcophagus that still held remnants of human bones, specifically those of a woman in her fifties, potentially even Meres Ankh III.