Excavations made at the end of the nineteenth century in the royal cemetery of Umm el-Qa’ab at Abydos uncovered ten royal tomb stelae (stone markers or monuments) of variable sizes. These stelae belonged to eight Early Dynastic Period rulers and most likely once stood as tomb markers above their tombs at Umm el-Qa’ab. During the reigns of Narmer to Merneith limestone was used for these stelae. From the reign of Den until the end of Dynasty 2 harder stones such as basalt, schist or granite were used. The stelae were usually decorated with the name of the king carved within a serekh (the niched façade of the palace) with the falcon-god Horus above. This stela has a rounded top and a flat base. Inside the serekh is the name of King Djer, who reigned during Dynasty 1.