Zahi Hawass on archaeology: what the evidence says · JRE #2321
SUBJECT: ARCHAEOLOGY
Not a true/false call. Every claim is logged with its sources; read the exhibits below.
He buried his father in year 28. Then we know now for sure that Kufu ruled for 28 years.
What the evidence says 01 / RECORD
The Wadi al-Jarf papyri (the Diary of Merer) are dated to the year after the 13th cattle count of Khufu, which excavator Pierre Tallet describes as the latest attested date of the reign, corresponding to roughly the 27th regnal year. Tallet states the papyri give the last date we have for Khufu, the 27th year of his reign, so they establish a minimum rather than a fixed total. Egyptologists remain divided because the older Turin Canon assigns Khufu only 23 years, and interpretation depends on whether the cattle counts were biennial, with estimates ranging from about 27 years upward. The claim that a 28-year reign is now known for sure overstates the evidence: the papyri support a reign of at least about 27 years, but the exact length is not settled.