Saqqara King List

The Saqqara King List, as shown in the attached image, is one of ancient Egypt’s most valuable chronological documents. It was discovered in the tomb chapel of Tenroy, an “Overseer of Works” who lived during the reign of Ramesses II in the 19th Dynasty, around 1279–1213 BCE. This unique list contains 58 cartouches—oval shapes enclosing royal names—arranged in two horizontal rows. Unlike official royal inscriptions often carved in temples or obelisks, this list was part of a private funerary context, which gives it both religious and personal significance. The Saqqara King List does not include all Egyptian kings; notably, it omits many rulers from the Second Intermediate Period and the Amarna period, such as Akhenaten, Smenkhkare, Tutankhamun, and Ay, whose reigns were later considered heretical. Instead, it selectively records rulers whom the contemporary state wanted to honor, presenting a curated version of history shaped by theological and political preferences. Tenroy, the tomb’s owner, inscribed this list not for state use but as a spiritual invocation. He calls upon all the deceased kings named on the list to offer his ka—his soul—a portion of the daily temple offerings and prayers they receive in the great temple of Ptah at Memphis. This practice reflects the widespread Egyptian belief in reciprocal divine favor, where living and dead could aid one another through ritual connection. This list holds immense value for Egyptologists. It helped scholars confirm the chronology of the Old and Middle Kingdoms, especially since many earlier king names were difficult to trace in fragmented monuments. When compared with the Abydos King List and the Turin Royal Canon, the Saqqara King List adds another layer to reconstructing Egypt’s dynastic history. The limestone slab carrying this list was found at Saqqara, the vast necropolis near ancient Memphis. Saqqara had long been associated with elite burials and served as a cult center since the early dynasties. The presence of the list in this sacred zone affirms the importance of collective royal memory in ensuring spiritual continuity—not just for the rulers, but also for those who served them in life and hoped to join them in the afterlife. This king list is more than a record—it's a bridge between history, theology, and personal devotion, showing how even private individuals sought legitimacy and favor through alignment with Egypt’s royal tradition.