Not much is known about Khasekhemwy, other than he engaged in extensive military campaigns. His serekh, depicted to the left, translates as "The Two Powerful Ones (the falcon, Heru/Horus and the jackal, Set) Have Risen and the Two Lords are at Peace Within Him". Peribsen, an earlier ruler of the 2nd Dynasty, chose the jackal-headed god Set for his symbol; archaeologists sumrise a conflict between adherents of Set and Heru. While the adherents of the latter won out, perhaps it was advantageous for a ruler such as Khasekhemwy to call upon the protection of both gods.

Nearby are the remains of several (14) wooden boats, which were at one time considered to belong to him, but the consensus now is that they belonged to the earlier ruler, Aha. They are set so that their prows point towards the Nile. They are wooden, and encased in mudbrick. Reeds were used between the wood planks to keep out water. While these boats were laid here in a ceremonial manner, it is evident that they were at one time truly functional boats. Their length varied from 18 to 27 meters.

This location is a prime residential area for priests, construction workers, and 2nd Dynasty functionaries. Shunet ez-Zebib was well-fortified and could have housed a military presence. The outskirts of this district are closer to the more fertile regions and may have housed farmers. Travellers from the western oases in the desert would have reason to pass through this district, bringing goods to barter.