Diary of Merer

The Diary of Merer is a fascinating collection of papyrus logbooks written over 4,500 years ago in ancient Egypt. They provide an invaluable window into the daily life and work during the construction of the Great Pyramid of Giza.

Written in hieratic script. (

Here's what we learn from the diary:

Who was Merer? Merer was a middle-ranking official with the title of inspector (sḥḏ, sehedj). He led a crew of around 200 men responsible for transporting limestone blocks from the quarries of Tura to the pyramid construction site at Giza.

What does the diary contain? The diary entries, written in hieroglyphs and hieratic script, are quite concise. They mostly consist of lists of Merer's and his crew's daily activities, including:

• Dates: The diary entries are dated, allowing us to track the progress of the work over several months.
• Transport: Details about the transportation of limestone blocks by boat along the Nile River.
• Logistics: Insights into the organization and logistics of such a large-scale project.
• Rations: Records of food and supplies provided to the workers.
• Personnel: Information about the people involved in the project.

Why is it important?

• Oldest papyri: The Diary of Merer is the oldest known papyrus with text, dating back to the 26th year of the reign of Pharaoh Khufu (around 2570 BC).
• Great Pyramid construction: It provides valuable details about the construction of the Great Pyramid of Khufu, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Daily life in ancient Egypt: It offers a glimpse into the daily life, work, and administration in ancient Egypt during the Old Kingdom period.
• Logistics and organization: It reveals the sophisticated logistics and organization involved in such a massive construction project.

Where can I learn more?

• Wikipedia: The Wikipedia article on the Diary of Merer provides a good overview of the topic.
• "Red Sea Scrolls": Pierre Tallet and Mark Lehner's book provides a popular account of the discovery and its significance.
• Academic publications: Several academic publications by Pierre Tallet and other researchers delve deeper into the analysis of the papyri.
• Egyptian Museum in Cairo: Parts of the papyri are exhibited at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.

The Diary of Merer is a remarkable archaeological find that continues to shed light on the wonders of ancient Egypt. It is a testament to the ingenuity and organizational skills of the ancient Egyptians and provides a unique perspective on their daily lives.