Who Was King Khufu?
King Khufu was the second pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty in the Old Kingdom. He is considered one of the greatest—and most controversial—rulers in ancient Egyptian history.
His full name in ancient Egyptian was “Khnum-Khufu,” meaning “Khnum Protects Me.” He was born in the 26th century BCE and was the son of Pharaoh Sneferu and Queen Hetepheres. He ruled Egypt for about 23 to 26 years.
Although the only confirmed statue of Khufu is just 7.5 cm tall, his legacy is not defined by its size. It is measured by the monumental impact he left—the Great Pyramid of Giza. This iconic structure, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, still amazes scholars and historians with its engineering and enduring mysteries.
The Many Names of Khufu Across History and Cultures
The ancient Egyptians recorded Khufu’s name as “Khnum-Khufu,” as seen in the king list at the Temple of Seti I in Abydos.Writers and historians in later periods referred to him by different names. The Greek historians Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus called him “Cheops.” The Egyptian historian Manetho referred to him as “Suphis.” Medieval Arabic traditions referred to him as “Saurid.” Some legends from these periods even attributed supernatural or mystical characteristics to him.
The Royal Family of Khufu: Wives, Sons, and Daughters
Khufu had three official wives. Khufu first married Queen Meritites I, followed by a non-Egyptian wife who bore Crown Prince Djedefre. Historians believe Queen Henutsen, Khufu’s third wife, started as a concubine before gaining royal status and becoming the mother of King Khafre. Archaeological evidence shows that Khufu had at least nine sons. The most notable were Kawab, who died before his father, Djedefre who succeeded Khufu, and Khafre who ruled after Djedefre.
Other sons included Djedefhor, Khnum-Bauef, Khufu-khaf, and Minkhaf. His daughters included Meresankh and Baufra.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
Khufu’s builders completed the Great Pyramid at Giza in about twenty years. It remains the largest stone structure ever built. Despite this achievement, the true burial site of King Khufu is still unknown. Many Egyptologists believe a secret chamber may still lie hidden inside the pyramid.
Modern studies suggest the presence of hidden voids on the western side, along with sealed corridors.
Some researchers believe that ancient Egyptians may have transferred his body to a hidden chamber through a concealed passage.
Khufu’s Afterlife Journey and Ancient Egyptian Beliefs
According to ancient Egyptian beliefs, Khufu sought to be reborn as a god in the afterlife. For this reason, Khufu’s builders designed the pyramid as a grand tomb fully equipped to support his eternal journey to the next world.
The Solar Boats of Khufu and Their Discovery
Archaeologists discovered five pits around the base of the Great Pyramid, which served as docks for royal boats used in funerary rituals. In the 1950s, they uncovered a massive pit containing 1,224 wooden pieces made from Lebanese cedar. After years of meticulous restoration, experts reassembled the wooden pieces into Khufu’s solar boat, which measures 53.6 meters long. Khufu likely sailed in this boat during his lifetime. Later, it was placed beside the pyramid to accompany him into the afterlife. Archaeologists also discovered a second, smaller boat to the west of the pyramid. It was likely used for ceremonies or for towing the larger vessel.
A joint Egyptian-Japanese team restored this boat and later moved it to the Grand Egyptian Museum.
The Statue of King Khufu and Its Significance
Archaeologists discovered a small ivory statue of Khufu, just 7.5 cm tall, in Abydos in 1903. Although it was missing its head at first, they later found the head nearby. This statue remains the only confirmed artifact that depicts the pharaoh. Archaeologist Flinders Petrie noted that the break appeared relatively recent, reinforcing the statue’s authenticity and historical significance.
Did King Khufu Commission the Great Pyramid?
Yes—the archaeological evidence confirms it. In the tomb of the priest “Qa’ar” at Giza, who held the title “Overseer of the Pyramid Cities,” artisans inscribed the names of the three pyramids inside royal cartouches. These were: “Akhet Khufu” (Horizon of Khufu), the Great Pyramid of Khafre, and the divine pyramid of Menkaure.
These inscriptions clearly prove that King Khufu commissioned the construction of the Great Pyramid.
The Legacy of King Khufu Across Time and Civilizations
Even though we do not know what his face truly looked like or the exact location of his tomb, Khufu’s legacy remains vividly alive.
His name is eternally linked to the Great Pyramid—an extraordinary feat of engineering.
This monument symbolizes the enduring power of ancient Egypt and still guards the secrets of a civilization like no other.