Herkhuf was an Overseer of the troops and campaign commander in Upper Egypt during the reigns of Pepy I, Merenre and Pepy II in Dynasty VI. The tomb is famous for Harkhuf's biographical text on the entrance and the copy of a letter that he received from the boy-king Pepy II asking Herkhuf to send him the dwarf captured during his expedition in Africa, so that he might dance in the king's court, promising him gifts and gratifications.