Photo of the Week - Khufu’s Shaft Items
These items were found by Wayman Dixon in 1872 at the bottom of the northern shaft of the so-called ‘Queen’s’ chamber of Khufu’s pyramid.
Diorite ball and copper hook found in a shaft in Khufu's pyramid. Photo: Jon Bodsworth
Now on display in the British Museum, one is a spherical ball of diorite and the other is a copper tool. Although there has been much speculation over their intended use it is not known what function these pieces served. The copper hook, which appears to have once been fastened to a piece of wood, has been likened by some to a pesesh-kef, a tool used in the ‘Opening of the Mouth’ ritual.
Tags: Khufu
