The Barge of Pharaoh Khufu

The state barge of King Khufu of the Fourth Dynasty. Based on the preserved Nile barge found beside the Great Pyramid and a relief representation from the Fifth Dynasty temple of Sahure, this reconstruction shows a royal state ship of the type known to the Egyptians as a dwa-towy (that which the Two Lands praise). The Great Pyramid example, which was built for King Khufu about 2570 B.C., measured 43.4 m in length. It has here been reconstructed with the double mast and sail (see drawing below) that it probably normally used, although they were not found in the burial pit. In such a vessel the Pharaohs of the Old Kingdom made their official visits to the provinces.