The tomb was discovered in 1910 by the archaeologist Ernst von Sieglin[note 1] who had the decorations removed from the chapel and transported to Berlin, where they were later donated to the Landesuniversität Tübingen and in 1938, were examined and described in detail by Junker.

The tomb is located in the western necropolis roughly on the edge of the aforementioned row behind G 4000 of the vizier Hemiunu in a group of mastabas dated to the late 5th dynasty.

[3] The original dimensions of the building were disturbed by later reconstructions, firstly by the addition of the southern side of the cult serdab in the part connected to the mastaba of Rawer I, Seshemnefer's son.

From the spacious columned portico (5.8 × 2.8 m) there was an entrance to the sacrificial chamber in the shape of the letter "L" (3.64 × 1.43 m) with two false doors on the west, as well as a large serdab on the south side.

[1] Tomb G 5170 of the vizier and royal scribe a representative of the elite during the 5th Dynasty, approximately dated to the reign of King Nyuserre Ini,[note 2] whose interior decoration has been preserved, provides data that fits into the overall picture of the character and historical development of government structures.

The development of social structures in the 4th dynasty, which was completed during the implementation of complex construction and logistical projects on the Giza plateau, was based on the central power of the king and his closest officials in the established administrative system.

In the later period of the 5th dynasty, the monarch asserted his power by applying marriage unions of his descendants with non-royal officials of a central administration.

According to inscriptions on the western wall of the cult chapel Seshemnefer boasted a number of titles, only two of which are preceded by the king’s symbol , namely Superintendent of Royal Buildings, the second one Royal chamberlain of the mansion of Djedefre which includes king's serekh [13] identified in the Mortuary temple of Djedefre at Abu Rawash[14] So Seshemnefer I could be a server as a priest and a temple administrator here.