Neferhetepes (Userkaf)

Neferhetepes (c. 2570 BC ) was a queen of the 5th Egyptian dynasty She was the wife of King Userkaf and the mother of King Sahura.

Family

The relationships Neferhetepes were not without controversy among historians, so that different theories are discussed. Recent finds relief in the pyramid of Sahura prove, however with certainty that she was the mother of the latter and thus the wife of Userkaf. She was probably the mother of the Queen Meretnebty, wife of Sahura.

Historical evidence

It appears on two reliefs belonging to Pyramidenaufweg of Sahura. Once she is shown sitting on the floor in front of Sahura. His wife Meretnebty sits behind her. A second time she stands behind the king, being behind her again Meretnebty follows. Both hold hands. Neferhetepes bore the title Mother of the King of Upper and Lower Egypt, daughter of God, manager of the butcher of the acacia house, priestess of Papef and priestess of Tjasep.

Neferhetepes is occupied also in the grave of a certain Persians. On a relief there was an inscription that referred to them as "Mother of the King".

Funeral

For Neferhetepes a queens pyramid was probably built, located just 100 meters from the pyramid Userkafs. She is in a badly damaged condition, but shows that the building was of a height of 17 meters, much smaller than the pyramid of King. It is noteworthy that their pyramid had its own temple district, which was not integrated into the Userkafs, but leading directly from this. In the pyramid was not the name of the owner. The write-up is anyone's guess.