Mastaba of Hesy-Re

Mastaba of Hesy-re
The mastaba in 2010
Burial site of Hesy-Ra
LocationGiza, Egypt
Coordinates29°52′6.6″N 31°13′7.08″E / 29.868500°N 31.2186333°E / 29.868500; 31.2186333
TypeMastaba
Lengthc.43 meters (original)
Heightc.5 meters (original)
History
MaterialMudbrick
Foundedc.2650 BC

The Mastaba of Hesy-re is an ancient Egyptian tomb complex in the great necropolis of Saqqara in Egypt. It is the final resting place of the high official Hesy-Ra, who served in office during the Third Dynasty under King Djoser (Netjerikhet). His large mastaba is renowned for its well-preserved wall paintings and relief panels made from imported Lebanese cedar, which are today considered masterpieces of Old Kingdom wood carving. The mastaba itself is the earliest example of a painted tomb from the Old Kingdom and the only known example from the Third Dynasty. The tomb was excavated by the Egyptologists Auguste Mariette and James Quibell.