The mastaba of Mereruka, vizier in the reign of pharaoh Teti. Ṣaqqārah, Egypt

"Saqqara necropolis also contained the tombs of dignitaries who served under the pharaohs of the Fifth and Sixth Dynasties. Mereruka, chief justice and vizier in the reign of Teti, has the largest of all the mastabas built around this pharaoh's pyramid. On the north wall of the room with pillars, there is a niche containing a striding statue of Mereruka, sculpted in limestone. Thus he is supposed to approach the offering table placed in front of the niche, at the top of four steps. His two-dimensional figures decorate the walls and the pillars in this room." [Zahi Hawass, 2003: The Treasures of the Pyramids. White Star Publishers]. "Saqqâra (Ṣaqqārah) is a large necropolis south of Cairo and west of ancient Memphis. It was the necropolis of ancient Memphis; has remains of several pyramids from 5th and 6th dynasties and the famous Step Pyramid, the earliest true pyramid in Egypt, built for King Zoser (Djoser) of the 3rd dynasty ca. 2630 BC by his prime minister Imhotep. It is not to be confused with the modern town of the same name." [The J. P. Getty Fund: Thesaurus of Geographical Names]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was working on "The Nile" project and traveled to Africa during April 1962, visiting Egypt.