Plaque from a Foundation Deposit of Senwosret I

Excavators from the Metropolitan Museum found intact three of the four foundation deposits under Senwosret I’s pyramid. They contained pottery and food offerings along with small rectangular tablets that commemorated the name of the king and his monument, which in this case was called “The pyramid: Senwosret is viewing the Two Lands.” The phrase seems to suggest a combined identity of pyramid and king that would protect the country.

Credit: Rogers Fund, 1932