Khufu Facts & Worksheets

The second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty during the first half of the Old Kingdom (26th century BCE), Khufu or Cheops, was an ancient Egyptian king. Khufu succeeded Sneferu, his father, as king. The Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, is largely acknowledged to have been built with his assistance, although many other details of his reign are rarely recorded.

See the fact file below for more information about Khufu, or you can download our 28-page Khufu worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

ORIGIN

• The lineage of Khufu’s royal family was extensive, but doubts remain about his biological relationship to Sneferu. 
• Historians traditionally believed Sneferu was Khufu’s father due to the inheritance practices of the eldest son or a chosen descendant assuming the throne.
• The discovery of Queen Hetepheres I’s tomb in 1925 initially supported the theory, as inscriptions associated her with Sneferu. 
• However, recent analysis questions this notion because Hetepheres lacks the title of “king’s wife,” crucial for confirming her royal status.
• Instead, she held the title “daughter of his divine body,” suggesting that Sneferu may have elevated Khufu’s status through marriage and the divine lineage of his mother. 
• The discovery of Queen Hetepheres I’s tomb in 1925 initially supported the theory, as inscriptions associated her with Sneferu. 
• However, recent analysis questions this notion because Hetepheres lacks the title of “king’s wife,” crucial for confirming her royal status.
• Instead, she held the title “daughter of his divine body,” suggesting that Sneferu may have elevated Khufu’s status through marriage and the divine lineage of his mother. 

LENGTH OF REIGN

• The duration of Khufu’s rule over Egypt remains uncertain due to conflicting historical accounts and limited contemporary sources. The Royal Canon of Turin from the 19th Dynasty suggests a reign of 23 years for Khufu. 
• However, ancient historians like Herodotus and Manetho exaggerate his reign, claiming 50 and 63 years, respectively, based on antiquated sources.
• Contemporary sources provide three important pieces of information. One inscription found in the Dakhla Oasis mentions Khufu’s name and a reference to the “Mefat-travelling” in the year following the 13th cattle count.
• Another inscription in the relieving chambers of Khufu’s pyramid mentions the “friends of Khufu” and the year of the 17th cattle count. 
• The interpretation of these cattle count references is uncertain, as it’s unclear whether they indicate a biennial or annual count.
• Although an inscription supporting Petrie’s date has been claimed by Zahi Hawass, there is debate regarding its authenticity. However, evidence from Wadi al-Jarf provides another clue. 
• Papyrus fragments describe the arrival of royal boats in the “year after the 13th cattle count.” Thus, the most reliable known date for Khufu is the “Year after the 13th cattle count.”
• To solve the mystery of Khufu’s reign, Egyptologists examine Sneferu’s reign, where the cattle count occurred biennially. They suggest that the cattle count under Khufu likely followed the same pattern. 
• Reevaluating contemporary documents and the Palermo stone inscription supports the theory of a biennial cattle count during Khufu’s time.
• Egyptologists such as Thomas Schneider, Michael Haase, and Rainer Stadelmann speculate whether the compiler of the Turin Canon considered the biennial cattle count during the Old Kingdom period while tax collection in the 19th Dynasty was annual. 
• Considering all these factors, it is believed that Khufu ruled for a minimum of 26 or 27 years, possibly extending to over 34 years if the inscription in the relieving chambers indicates a biennial cattle count. 
• If the Turin Canon did not consider the biennial count, it could imply a reign of 46 years for Khufu.

PYRAMID COMPLEX

• The pyramid complex of Khufu, also known as the Great Pyramid of Giza, was built in the northeastern section of the Giza plateau. 
• Khufu chose this location because of its high elevation, which made the pyramid visible from afar. 
• The pyramid had a base measurement of approximately 750 x 750 feet and originally stood at a height of 481 feet. However, over time, the pyramidion and limestone casing were lost due to stone robbery.
• The inner core of the pyramid is made up of roughly hewn blocks of dark limestone, while the casing stones, which were finely polished, were made of nearly white limestone.
• The pyramid has three chambers: the burial chamber of the king (known as the king’s chamber), the statue chamber (referred to as the queen’s chamber, although its use is still debated), and the unfinished subterranean chamber.
• The burial chamber contains a large sarcophagus made of granite. 
• The subterranean chamber, which is the oldest of the three, remains unfinished. 
• The pyramid also features the Grand Gallery, a corridor with a corbelled arch ceiling that diverts the weight of the stone mass above the king’s chamber.
• Surrounding the pyramid is an enclosure wall, and on the eastern side, there was a mortuary temple made of black basalt. 
• The temple had pillars and portals of red granite, and its ceiling stones were white limestone. 
• Only the foundation of the mortuary temple remains today. From the mortuary temple, a causeway connected to the valley temple, although the original form and size of the valley temple are unknown.
• Adjacent to the pyramid, on the eastern side, is the East Cemetery, which contains princes and princesses’ mastabas (tombs). 
• Three small satellite pyramids also belong to the queens Hetepheres, Meritites I, and possibly Henutsen. 
• The Great Sphinx of Giza, a large limestone statue in the shape of a recumbent lion with a human head, is believed to be part of Khufu’s funerary complex. 
• The attribution of its construction remains debated, but possible candidates include Khufu and his two sons Djedefra and Khaefra. 
• The original function of the Sphinx is also unclear, but it likely served as a guardian of the sacred cemetery of Giza.

MORTUARY COMPLEX

• Khufu’s mortuary complex, located adjacent to the Great Pyramid of Giza, was an elaborate arrangement of structures dedicated to religious and funerary practices. 
• It encompassed various elements such as temples, causeways, and smaller pyramids, all constructed with the intention of honoring the pharaoh’s divinity and facilitating his journey into the afterlife.
• The mortuary complex served as a focal point for religious rituals and ceremonies, where offerings and prayers were made to ensure Khufu’s eternal well-being. 
• The temples within the complex provided a space for priests and attendants to perform religious rites and maintain a connection between the earthly realm and the divine.
• The causeways, or processional pathways, connected different parts of the complex, facilitating the movement of priests, officials, and mourners during important religious processions and funerary rituals. 
• These causeways were often decorated with reliefs and inscriptions depicting scenes of religious significance and commemorating Khufu’s achievements and divine lineage.
• In addition to the Great Pyramid itself, Khufu’s mortuary complex included smaller pyramids, often referred to as satellite or subsidiary pyramids. 
• These smaller structures are believed to have served as tombs for Khufu’s family members or high-ranking officials. 
• They symbolized the interconnectedness of the pharaoh’s family and their shared journey into the afterlife.

LEGACY

• Herodotus, a Greek historian, described Khufu’s and his son Khafre’s tenure as 106 years of oppression and suffering, although Khufu’s posthumous reputation in Egypt as a wise king refutes this. 
• Herodotus’ account of Khufu selling his daughter into prostitution to finance his construction endeavors is obviously untrue. 
• Limited historical documentation exists, but it is established that Khufu, the son and heir of King Sneferu and Queen Hetepheres, likely had four marriages. 
• His wives were Merityetes, buried in a pyramid adjacent to his own; an unnamed second queen; Henutsen, whose pyramid is part of the same complex; and Nefert-kau, the eldest daughter of Sneferu. Khufu’s two sons, Redjedef and Khafre, succeeded him as pharaoh in succession.

Khufu Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Khufu across 28 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Khufu. The second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty during the first half of the Old Kingdom (26th century BCE), Khufu or Cheops, was an ancient Egyptian king.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Khufu Facts
2. Life of Khufu
3. Art and Statues
4. Great Pyramid of Giza
5. Decoding Khufu
6. Decision to Make
7. Khufu’s Legacy
8. Builders of the Great Pyramid
9. Impact to Us
10. Mini Pyramid
11. Play the Game

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Khufu?

Khufu, also known as Pharaoh Khufu or Cheops in Greek, was an ancient Egyptian monarch who ruled during the Old Kingdom period. He is most famous for commissioning the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

When did Khufu rule Egypt?

Khufu ruled Egypt during the 26th century BCE, specifically during the Fourth Dynasty of the Old Kingdom. His reign is estimated to have lasted from around 2580 BCE to 2560 BCE.

What is Khufu’s most significant achievement?

Khufu’s most significant achievement was the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza, also known as the Pyramid of Khufu. This massive pyramid is considered one of the most impressive architectural marvels in history and was built as a tomb for the Pharaoh.

How was the Great Pyramid of Giza built?

The exact methods used to construct the Great Pyramid remain a subject of debate among historians and archaeologists. However, it is widely believed that a large workforce of skilled laborers, possibly tens of thousands of workers, quarried and transported massive limestone and granite blocks from nearby quarries using sleds, rollers, and possibly lubrication. The blocks were then assembled using a combination of ramps, levers, and counterweights.

What is Khufu’s legacy?

Khufu’s legacy is primarily associated with the Great Pyramid of Giza, which stands as a testament to the architectural and engineering achievements of ancient Egypt. His reign and pyramid also provide valuable insights into the political and social structure of ancient Egyptian society during the Old Kingdom. Additionally, his name is recorded in various inscriptions and artifacts, contributing to our understanding of ancient Egyptian history.

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