Sanakht

Sanakht was an early ruler of the Third Dynasty during the Old Kingdom. His chronological place is debated, though tradition often places him before Djoser as the dynasty's founder, having succeeded Khasekhemwy. He is thought to have reigned from around 2686 BC to 2667 BC, with modern estimates uncertain by about 25 years.

Very little is known with certainty about his reign. A large mudbrick mastaba at Beit Khallaf, designated Mastaba K2, yielded seal impressions with his name alongside a skeletal burial, but whether this was truly his personal tomb remains disputed. His presence is also attested in the Sinai Peninsula, where rock reliefs bearing his serekh were carved at Wadi Maghara, pointing to early royal interest in the region's turquoise mines. Scholars know him mainly from these seal impressions, fragmentary inscriptions, and entries in later king lists.

Monuments

• Beit Khallaf Mastaba K2
• Wadi Maghara reliefs

Explore further

Try the name on the Cartouche Desk, or see where the reign falls on the timeline.