The mastaba of Mereruka is the most extensively decorated tomb of the Old Kingdom. As a vizier and husband of the eldest daughter of King Teti, Mereruka held an unusually large number of responsibilities and his tomb reflects the wealth and status he enjoyed. Consisting of 32 rooms, 16 of which are decorated, it includes his chapel, that of his wife, Waatetkhethor and his son Meryteti. Each of them possessed a separate shaft and burial chamber with those of Mereruka reflecting almost a Royal status. Despite its clearance in 1893, this important mastaba remains incompletely published. The...

Often referred to as the Butcher's Tomb, the decorated tomb of Irukaptah in the Unis Cemetery at Saqqara has been fully recorded for publication. A well-preserved example of Old Kingdom rock architecture, it retains much of its painted decoration. An outstanding feature is the large number of engaged statues, some left in various stages of completion which provide valuable information on the progressive steps in the execution of rock-cut statuary. The volume includes some comparisons of significant artistic and architectural features with data from other near-contemporary tombs.