What Were Mastabas Used for?

A mastaba is a large rectangular structure that was used as a type of tomb, often for royalty, in Ancient Egypt.

What was the purpose of a mastaba?

Old Kingdom mastabas were used chiefly for nonroyal burials. In nonroyal tombs a chapel was provided that included a formal tablet or stela on which the deceased was shown seated at a table of offerings.

What were the mastabas at the complex used for?

Early Egyptians built mastabas to mark the tombs of their deceased. The first king to launch a major pyramid building project was King Djoser, who built his famous “Step Pyramid” at Saqqara.