Senebtisi

Senebtisi was an ancient Egyptian woman whose undisturbed tomb was discovered in 1907 by an expedition from the Metropolitan Museum of Art, led by Albert Lythgoe. The tomb (Tomb 354) was located south of the pyramid of Senusret I at Lisht, Egypt. The undisturbed nature of the burial provided significant insights into funerary practices, jewelry, and clothing during the 12th Dynasty of the Middle Kingdom.

Senebtisi’s mummy was found within a nest of three coffins. Her body was adorned with a cartonnage mask and numerous pieces of jewelry, including necklaces, pectorals, bracelets, and anklets crafted from materials such as gold, electrum, faience, carnelian, amethyst, and lapis lazuli. These pieces are notable for their craftsmanship and the religious symbolism they incorporate, often featuring protective deities and hieroglyphic inscriptions.

The jewelry found with Senebtisi provides valuable information about the artistry and religious beliefs prevalent during the Middle Kingdom. The materials used indicate access to extensive trade networks. The preservation of her tomb and its contents offer a rare and detailed glimpse into the life and death of a wealthy woman from this period in Egyptian history.