Naos of King Senwosret I

This object is the Naos of King Senwosret I, one of the most powerful rulers of Egypt’s 12th Dynasty during the Middle Kingdom (c. 1956–1911 BCE). A naos is a shrine-like structure typically used to house a statue of a god in temple sanctuaries, symbolizing the divine presence. This black granite naos once belonged to the great Temple of Amun at Karnak, Egypt’s most influential religious center. Senwosret I is remembered as a king of strength and expansion. His reign solidified Egyptian control over Nubia, especially around the strategic Second Cataract of the Nile, through a combination of military campaigns and fortress construction. These actions helped secure trade routes and valuable resources such as gold, ivory, and incense from Africa. On the sides of this naos, Senwosret I is shown presenting offerings to Amun-Re, the king of the gods. These scenes visually reinforce the king’s role as divine intercessor and loyal servant of the gods. The inscriptions and iconography highlight both piety and propaganda, promoting Senwosret as the chosen ruler, divinely sanctioned to uphold ma’at, or cosmic order. A particularly interesting detail is the way the name of Amun has been altered or erased in parts of the object. This points to later changes made during the reign of Akhenaten, the revolutionary pharaoh who sought to replace Egypt’s traditional gods with the worship of the sun disk Aten. The name was likely restored in later periods when traditional worship resumed. This naos, while relatively modest in size compared to colossal statues and temples, is deeply meaningful. It served as a focal point for daily rituals and temple ceremonies, anchoring the spiritual life of ancient Egypt. It also speaks to the enduring importance of royal devotion and the sacred connection between pharaoh and deity.