Ankhhaf was an ancient Egyptian prince and high-ranking official of the Fourth Dynasty (c. 2613 to c. 2494 BC) during the Old Kingdom. He is best known for his role as an overseer during the reign of Pharaoh Khufu and for the remarkably realistic painted limestone bust discovered in his tomb.
Family
Ankhhaf was likely a son of Pharaoh Sneferu by an unknown wife, making him a half-brother of Pharaoh Khufu. He married Princess Hetepheres, who is thought to have been the eldest daughter of Sneferu and Queen Hetepheres I—making her Ankhhaf's half-sister. Hetepheres held the titles "eldest king's daughter of his body," "the one whom he loves," and "Priestess of Sneferu." Ankhhaf and Hetepheres had a daughter, who was the mother of their grandson Ankhetef.
Titles and Career
Ankhhaf held the titles "eldest king's son of his body" (sa nswt n khtf smsw), "vizier" (chaty), and "the great one of Five of the house of Thoth" (wr djw pr-Djehuti). It is unknown under which pharaoh he served as vizier.
Ankhhaf is thought to have been involved in the building of the Great Pyramid of Giza and likely played a role in the construction of the Sphinx. In 2013, a collection of papyri fragments known as the Diary of Merer was discovered at the ancient Harbor of Khufu at Wadi al-Jarf. These logs, dating from the 27th year of Khufu's reign, record the transport of limestone from Tura to Giza. The records refer to an administrative center named Ro-She Khufu ("Mouth of the Lake of Khufu") under the authority of Vizier Ankhhaf. According to Egyptologist Pierre Tallet, this places Ankhhaf in charge of the construction of the Great Pyramid towards the end of the project, specifically overseeing the delivery of Tura limestone used for the casing.
Tomb
Ankhhaf's mastaba tomb, designated G 7510, is located in the eastern cemetery at Giza and was one of the largest in that area. The tomb was originally dated to the reign of Khafre by archaeologist George Reisner, but more recent study suggests it spans the reigns of Khufu, Djedefre, and Khafre.
Bust of Prince Ankhhaf
A painted limestone portrait bust of Ankhhaf was discovered in his tomb in 1925 by a Harvard University expedition. It is considered the work "of a master" of ancient Egyptian art from the Old Kingdom and is noted for its remarkable realism. The bust is currently housed at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (catalog number Museum Expedition 27.442).
