Khaba

Khaba is the name given to a pharaoh of the Fourth Dynasty of Egypt. His reign is estimated to have occurred around 2600 BCE. Little is definitively known about Khaba, and his existence and place in the dynastic sequence have been subjects of scholarly debate for a long time.

The primary evidence for Khaba comes from the discovery of his tomb, known as Layer Pyramid or Pyramid of Khaba, located at the necropolis of Zawyet el-Aryan, midway between Giza and Abusir. This unfinished pyramid is a prominent feature of the site. Excavations in and around the pyramid complex have yielded artifacts, including pottery and stone vessels, some bearing inscriptions that have been interpreted as Khaba's name or titles.

Historically, Khaba was often placed between Sneferu and Khufu, but more recent interpretations of archaeological evidence suggest he may have reigned after Sneferu and before Huni, or potentially as a short-lived ruler within the Third Dynasty, or even as a distinct Fourth Dynasty king whose reign was brief. The precise length and date of his reign remain uncertain due to the limited and sometimes ambiguous nature of the surviving evidence. The incomplete state of his pyramid also contributes to the mystery surrounding his rule. Despite these uncertainties, Khaba is recognized as a significant figure in the archaeological record of the Old Kingdom.