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Primary sourceSculpturec. 2551 BCE

Relief Block with Cartouche

c. 2551 BCE

A limestone relief block carved with hieroglyphs and a royal cartouche, dated to the reign of Khufu.

This relief block, bearing a royal cartouche, was commissioned during Khufu's reign.

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Black-and-white photograph of a carved limestone block showing Egyptian hieroglyphs in relief. A cartouche oval with inscribed signs is at center-right, with a vertical column of signs to its right and an ankh-like sign and other symbols at left. The block edges are rough and broken.
Block of relief, c. 2551 BCE. Old Kingdom, Dynasty 4.

About this source

What it is

This is a carved limestone block showing hieroglyphs in relief, including a cartouche oval with inscribed signs, a vertical column of signs, and an ankh-like symbol. It dates to the Old Kingdom, Fourth Dynasty, during the reign of Khufu. Little further detail about its find spot or current location is recorded.

Why it matters

Even without a full record, a carved royal cartouche is a strong link to the king it names. Fragments like this, though small and damaged, are part of the physical evidence that historians use to piece together the monuments and activity connected to Khufu's reign.

Look closer

  • What can you tell from the cartouche about who this block was connected to?
  • Why might a block like this survive only in fragments?
  • What questions would you want answered about where this block was originally found?

This sculpture is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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