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Return of Recruits Inscription, Water Mountain of Djedefre

A rock inscription recording the return of recruits from a desert expedition during the Fourth Dynasty, the dynasty of Khufu.

This record of returning recruits dates from Khufu's dynasty, reflecting the labour demands of his era's expeditions.

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Close-up of a sandstone rock surface with carved ancient Egyptian-style figures: a tall pillar-like sign, an oval sign with a stroke on top, a triangular sign, and a group of small vertical strokes and angled marks at lower left. Cracks run across the stone.
Photograph by Roland Unger, 2012. Inscription VI-A: Return of Recruits, Water Mountain of Djedefre, Western Desert, Egypt.

About this source

What it is

This photograph shows a sandstone rock surface carved with hieroglyphic signs noting the return of recruits from an expedition. It belongs to the group of inscriptions at the Water Mountain of Djedefre in Egypt's Western Desert, photographed by Roland Unger in 2012.

Why it matters

Recruits were sent on state expeditions during the Fourth Dynasty, the royal family of Khufu, likely for quarrying or other labour. This inscription recording their return is a rare trace of ordinary workers' movements, rather than the usual focus on kings and high officials.

Look closer

  • What signs can you identify, such as the pillar-like or oval marks?
  • Why might it have mattered enough to record that recruits had returned safely?
  • What does this inscription suggest about the risks and demands of desert expeditions?

This document 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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