Along with the crown were found two pectorals, one of Senusert II, the
other of Amenemhat III, of even finer design than the famous pectorals
of Dahshur. “The earlier pectoral is inlaid with minute feathering of
lazuli and turquoise; the later with a different feathering of lazuli
and white paste, which has probably been green.... They were probably
suspended by necklaces of the very rich deep amethyst beads which were
found here.” With the pectorals went several gold and jewelled collars
and necklets, and broad armlets of golden bars with beads of carnelian
and turquoise, and inlaid clasps bearing the royal cartouche, and a
number of other articles, amulets and toilet utensils, including a
silver mirror with a handle of obsidian, inlaid with bands of plaited
gold, and bearing a cast gold head of Hathor. Another item came to
light from Lahun in 1920 in the shape of the royal uræus of Senusert
II, “a massive gold casting, with inlay of carnelian and lazuli, a
head of lazuli, and eyes of garnet in gold setting,” which was found
near the sepulchral chamber in the heart of the pyramid, amidst a heap
of dust and chips of stone. Doubtless this is the royal emblem which
adorned the brow of Senusert when he was laid to rest in his pyramid,
though how it escaped the notice of the robbers who plundered his tomb
is as great a mystery as the escape of the treasure of Sat-Hathor-ant.
Thus the pyramids of the XIIth Dynasty monarchs, insignificant as they
may seem in comparison with the gigantic piles of Gizeh, have proved
in their way no less interesting than the colossal work of Khufu,
Khafra, and Menkaura. Indeed each of the pyramid groups has its own
characteristics, and has given its own contribution to our knowledge
of the successive periods of early Egyptian history. To the mighty
structures of the IVth Dynasty we owe the revelation of the marvellous
organisation of the Egyptian kingdom, and the skill with which its
resources could be concentrated on a single gigantic task. To the less
imposing buildings of the Vth and VIth Dynasties we owe something
perhaps even more precious--the revelation of the thoughts which were
shaping themselves in the mind of man in these most ancient days with
regard to the soul and its life beyond the grave. To those of the XIIth
Dynasty we owe the evidence of the skill which shaped the marvellous
red-granite sarcophagus of Senusert II, or the great quartzite funeral
chamber of Amenemhat III, and the union of luxury with the finest taste
which created the jewellery of Dahshur and Lahun. It may be questioned
if even the tomb of Tutankhamen, with all its mass of splendour, will
have anything to show us which can surpass in grace and dignity the
diadems of Khnumit and Sat-Hathor-ant, or in exquisiteness of finish
their pectorals and armlets.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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