(Abu Rawash) A site north of GIZA. The main monument on the site dates to the Fourth Dynasty, constructed by RA’DJEDEF (r. 2528–2520 B.C.E.), the son and successor of KHUFU (Cheops). Ra’djedef erected a pyramid at Abu Rowash, partly encased in red granite and unfinished. A MORTUARY TEMPLE is on the eastern side of the pyramid and a VALLEY TEMPLE was designated as part of the complex. A boat pit on the southern side of the pyramid contained statues of Ra’djedef, the lower part of a statue of Queen KHENTETKA, and a SPHINX form, the first such sphinx form found in a royal tomb. In the valley temple of the complex a statue of ARSINOE (2), the consort of PTOLEMY II PHILADELPHUS (285–246 B.C.E.), was discovered. Also found were personal objects of ’AHA (Menes, 2920 B.C.E.) and DEN (c. 2800 B.C.E.) of the First Dynasty. A newly discovered mud-brick pyramid on the site has not been identified, but an Old Kingdom (2575–2134 B.C.E.) necropolis is evident.
