Riqqeh Explained

Riqqeh
Pushpin Map:Egypt
Pushpin Relief:yes
Pushpin Label Position:bottom
Pushpin Mapsize:300
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in Egypt
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: Egypt
Subdivision Type1:Governorate
Subdivision Name1:Giza
Unit Pref:Imperial
Population Blank1 Title:Ethnicities
Utc Offset:+2
Coordinates:29.4333°N 44°W

Riqqeh (also known as ar-Riqqeh or Riqqa) is a modern village in Egypt. It is located about 80 km south of Cairo.

Overview

Close to the village, in the desert, was excavated a series of cemeteries. The cemeteries ranging in time from the Gerzeh culture to modern times. Most important are those tombs dating to the Gerzeh (named for the El Gerzeh cemetery) and those of the Middle and New Kingdoms. The cemeteries were excavated and published by Reginald Engelbach in 1912 to 1913.

Most of the tombs found were simple shafts, some with one or more chambers at the bottom. Finds include steles, statues and canopic jars. From the Middle Kingdom some well preserved and decorated coffins are preserved. Most remarkable was an undisturbed tomb containing two skeletons and golden jewellery. A closer look at this burial revealed that one of the skeletons belonged to the person buried here, while the other one belonged to a tomb robber, killed when the roof of the tomb chamber collapsed while he was looting the mummy.

Literature