| Amenemhat Human Mummy | |
| |
| Biographical Information | |
|---|---|
| Name(s) | Amenemhat |
| Age | |
| Sex | Male |
| Status | First ruler of the Twelfth Dynasty |
| Height | |
| Source | |
| Culture | Ancient Egypt |
| Date(s) | reigned c 1939–1908 BC |
| Site | Pyramid of Amenemhet I at el-Lisht |
| Current Location | |
| Location | Cairo Museum |
| Catalog # | |
Amenemhat I whose throne name was Sehotep ib Ra, was the first of eight rulers of Egypt's twelfth Dynasty or the golden age of the Middle Kingdom period. He was probably the son of Senusret and Nefert, of noble birth, but he was not a member of the royal family. It is sometimes suggested that he usurped the throne, and even that he murdered his predecessor, however, there is no direct evidence to support this and he may have been, in fact, his co-regent. Prior to Amenemhat's rule, the capital was situated in the city of Thebes; he moved the capitol to the Northern city of Itjawy allowing him to have greater control by divorcing the base of power from both Thebes and Herakleopolis.
Amenemhat married Neferitatjenen and had four children - Senuseret I, Neferu III, Neferusherit, and Kayet. He reestablished trading and diplomatic links with Byblos and other Aegean civilizations. He mounted expeditions against the Asiatics and Nubians to quell rebellion. He also constructed forts at Semna and Quban and rebuilt the fort at Buhen to control Nubia.
Amenemhat built his pyramid at Lisht, close to his capital. It was smaller than those of the Old Kingdom, and composed of a core of mud brick and limestone blocks “recycled” from Old Kingdom monuments, it was then clad in fine Tura limestone. The substructure of his pyramid has not been excavated due to the seepage of water but it is thought that it was breached by tomb robbers in antiquity. Amenemhat was assassinated during a palace coup while his son was leading an expedition against the Libyans.
Mummification[]
Amenemhat was mummified in accordance to ancient Egyptian mummification traditions. Through removing the internal organs, the process of decomposition of the body slows down and thus better preserving the individual. However, the mummification process calls for the heart to remain inside the body as it is the center of thoughts and emotions; therefore, it will be required in the afterlife. After removing all internal organs, the body is washed with a mixture of spices, fragrant herbs, and palm wine and finally dehydrated by placing it in natron for 70 days. After the drying process period, the body is ready to be embalmed.
Next, the body is wrapped in multiple layers of linen cloth. Amidst the wrapping, Egyptian priests adorn the body with amulets to ward off evil, and the wrapping process continues. Upon completion of wrapping, the body and coffin are coated in layers of resin that acts as a waterproofing and antimicrobial agent to seal off any moisture. Upon completion, the mummy is placed in the tomb along with the preserved organs and possessions believed to be of use in the afterlife.
Pathology[]
He was in good health prior to his death.
Additional[]
Amenemhat is known to be the first Egyptian leader to introduce the idea of co-regency. During his rule, Amenemhat developed a co-regency with his son, Senuseret I. It is believed that Amenemhat took such a step in order to train the heir, and ensure that the traditions he set in place would carry on to the next generation. As a result, Senuseret I was responsible for overseeing military related matters, extended the rule of the kingdom to Nubia, and constructed forts.
Amenemhat's pyramid, Pyramid of Amenemhat I at el Lisht, is a combination of the pyramids seen in the 5th and 6th dynasty as well as a touch of Theban tradition. The pyramid itself was constructed with a core clad, an interior layer of limestone, and an outer layer of mudbrick. However, during future dynasties, the pyramid became a great source of limestone for lime burners; thus, causing it to slump. In addition, due to the its proximity to the Nile River, as the Nile shifted course over the years, this resulted in Amenemhat's burial chamber to be submerged under water.
Amenemhat is more commonly known for pushing Egypt into a phase of bureaucracy. Through appointing his supporters to high administrative posts, Amenemhat was able to implement numerous changes to the Kingdom such as dividing the provinces into specific towns and territories, weakening the control of the army, reintroducing the concept of conscription, and setting up Egypt's gold and copper mines to establish trade deals.
External Links[]
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Amenemhet-I
http://www.crystalinks.com/dynasty12.html
http://mathstat.slu.edu/~bart/egyptianhtml/kings%20and%20Queens/Amenemhat_I.html
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/amenemhet1.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummy#Egyptian_mummies
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemhat_I#His_pyramid
References[]
Amenemhat I. (2017, January 27). Retrieved from
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amenemhat_I#His_pyramid
Amenemhet I. (2010, January 21). Retrieved from
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Amenemhet-I
Bart, A. (2007, January). Ancient Egypt. Retrieved from
http://mathstat.slu.edu/~bart/egyptianhtml/kings%20and%20Queens/Amenemhat_I.html
Dunn, J. (2011, August 4). Amenemhet I, 1st King of the 12th Dynasty. Retrieved from
http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/amenemhet1.htm Mummy. (2017, February 25).
Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummy#Egyptian_mummies
Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.crystalinks.com/dynasty12.html