
GEM 81972
King Senwosret I
Among the many mysteries surrounding the royal statuary of King Senwosret I (r. c. 1965–1911 BCE), a fascinating question concerns the fate of a set of ten nearly identical statues that were found remarkably well-preserved at his pyramid complex in Lisht. These statues—crafted with typical Middle Kingdom finesse—depict the pharaoh in formal poses, bearing the regalia of divine kingship. Yet despite their apparent purpose as part of a mortuary cult, archaeological evidence suggests that they may never have been fully installed or displayed as originally intended.
What makes these statues exceptional is their immaculate condition. Unlike many sculptures that show signs of erosion, breakage, or reuse in later periods, these statues show no indication of weathering or damage from the elements. This has led scholars to theorize that they may have never been placed outdoors or in open courtyards as part of the completed mortuary complex. Instead, they may have remained in storage or were only later buried deliberately within the complex, perhaps due to a change in the temple’s layout or architectural plan.
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