Prince Khaemweset Restores Ancient Monuments

Prince Khaemweset, the fourth son of Pharaoh Rameses II (1303–1213 BC), lived in New Kingdom Egypt but turned his attention to monuments that were already ancient in his own time. He spent much of his life locating and restoring old buildings and tombs, including a statue of Prince Kawab from around 2600–2570 BC. In his restorations, he honored earlier rulers and princes by preserving their names and monuments instead of replacing them. Because of this lifelong work on Egypt’s antiquities, historians often regard Khaemweset as the first Egyptologist.

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