Deir Rifeh

Alternative site names:

Rifeh; Deir Riffa; Deir el-Rifeh; Der Rifa; Deir Rifa

Arabic site names:

دير ريفة

Site description:

This series of cemeteries and tombs are located on the west bank of the Nile. Especially notable are the rock-cut tombs of local governors from the Middle Kingdom.

The most important tomb is a large undecorated tomb of three chambers, with three burial pits. A number of smaller tombs were also found in the same area. Most of these tombs were plundered in antiquity, although the tomb of the two brothers Nekht-Ankh and Khnum-Nakht was excavated by Petrie and discovered intact.

Type of site:

Tombs; cemeteries

Timeframe:

Tombs (Middle Kingdom); cemeteries (Middle Kingdom, Second Intermediate Period, New Kingdom)

Overlay map:

Excavator's sketch map showing the district of Giza and Deir Rifeh including a plan of the cemeteries located there, superimposed on a modern Google map image. Created by Kristian Brink, 2015.

Relevant publications:

Catalogue of Egyptian antiquities : found by Prof. Flinders Petrie and students at Gizeh and Rifeh, 1907 ; exhibited at University College, Gower St., London, July 1st to 27th / British School of Archaeology in Egypt. 1907. London : BSAE.

Griffith, F. L. 1889. The inscriptions of Siût and Dêr Rîfeh. London: Trübner.

Murray, Margaret Alice 1910. The tomb of two brothers. Manchester : Sherratt & Hughes.

Petrie, W. M. Flinders 1907. Gizeh and Rifeh. British School of Archaeology in Egypt and Egyptian Research Account 13 (13th year). London: British School of Archaeology in Egypt; Bernard Quaritch.

Site gallery:

Map of district.jpg

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Map of district merged.jpg [2]

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Plan of cemeteries merged.jpg [3]

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