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Stela of Amenemhat

Egyptian, Classical, Ancient Near Eastern Art

The four lines of hieroglyphic text at the top of this stela list what every Egyptian wanted in the afterlife: “thousands of portions of cattle, fowl, bread, alabaster, linen, and all kinds of green vegetables.” The inscription below mentions the name of the deceased, a man called Amunemhat, and his mother, Shabut. Amunemhat’s image appears just to the left of the offering table in the traditional place of honor. He was probably born in the reign of Amunemhat I and named for that king.
MEDIUM Limestone, pigment
  • Reportedly From: Saqqara, Egypt
  • DATES ca. 1938-1875 B.C.E.
    DYNASTY early Dynasty 12
    PERIOD Middle Kingdom
    DIMENSIONS 17 × 21 × 2 1/2 in. (43.2 × 53.3 × 6.4 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 37.1346E
    CREDIT LINE Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view
    CAPTION Stela of Amenemhat, ca. 1938-1875 B.C.E. Limestone, pigment, 17 × 21 × 2 1/2 in. (43.2 × 53.3 × 6.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Charles Edwin Wilbour Fund, 37.1346E. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 37.1346E_SL1.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, 37.1346E_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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