H. 16 in. (41 cm) Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Thomas H. Foulds, 1924
(24.7.1) Amenemhat III, son of Senwosret III and sixth king of
Dynasty 12, ruled Egypt at the height of its power in the Middle
Kingdom, both at home and abroad. He initiated extensive land
reclamation projects in the Faiyum and began his pyramid complex
at Dahshur, where his father had also built his pyramid. When
this pyramid proved during construction to be unstable, he built
another pyramid complex at the site of Hawara in the Faiyum.
Adjacent to this pyramid was a huge temple that in later times
was called the "Labyrinth." This portrait shows the king wearing
the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. Of unknown
provenance, it continues the thoughtful realistic style begun
under Senwosret III but which has already become less harsh. The
head, however, is distinctly youthful, and may have come from a
seated statue intended for the king's sed festival or jubilee.