Lisht

Lisht, el- This was a site on the western shore, south

of ABUSIR, that served as a necropolis for the city of ITJTAWY,

the Twelfth Dynasty capital started by AMENEMHET I

(r. 1991–1962 B.C.E.). The pyramids of Amenemhet I and

SENWOSRET I (r. 1971–1926 B.C.E.) dominate the region,

providing mortuary complexes on the elevated portion of

the site. The pyramidal complex was called “Amun Is

High And Beautiful.” Two monuments discovered there

are in the Metropolitan Museum in New York. The pyramid

was built on a commanding position, and the complex

functioned on two levels as royal family members

and court officials were provided with tombs as part of

the design. A causeway can still be seen, but the valley

temple has disappeared. A great wall (TENEMOS) surrounded

the area.

Amenemhet I’s pyramid, also called “the Places of

Amenemhet Shine,” was covered originally with TUREH

limestone and had an entrance on the north face. There

was an offering chapel with a FALSE DOOR and a deep

burial chamber included in the design. The pyramid of

Amenemhet I was surrounded by royal tombs, containing

family members and erected on adjoining lands. The

pyramid complex of Senwosret I was called “the One

Who Is Associated With Senwosret” and was erected in

the southern area. Large and covered with Tureh limestone,

the pyramid was surrounded by nine royal graves.

The complex also contained 10 statues of the pharaoh.

There is no surviving evidence of a VALLEY TEMPLE in

Senwosret I’s complex, but a causeway survived, fashioned

out of Tureh limestone and adorned with colorful

reliefs. The pyramid is surrounded by two enclosure

walls, the outer one made of brick, and the inner wall

enclosing a MORTUARY TEMPLE and decorated with relief

panels. Senwosret I’s pyramid, named “Senwosret Surveys

The Two Lands,” and “Protected Are The Places Of

Senwosret,” had a rubble and sand core. Irregular chambers

were incorporated into the pyramid, and the entry

was part of a chapel. Other tombs at el-Lisht include

those of INTEFOKER, a high-ranking official, and SENWOSRET-

ANKH, whose mastaba contained PYRAMID TEXTS and

a star ceiling

Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt.