Middle Kingdom Placemarks:
The
Middle Kingdom started when Pharaoh Mentuhotep II (from Thebes) defeated the
rulers of Herakleopolis and reunited Egypt.
Monumental architecture and
building projects were again undertaken and art flourished.
Mortuary Temple Mentuhotep II, Deir el-Bahri Pyramid Complex Senusret I, Lisht
At the
start of the 12th dynasty the capital was replaced to Itjtawy, near
the Faiyum region.
The
Faiyum was an important place during the Middle Kingdom, and an irrigation
system was build during the reign of Senusret II and later pharaohs.
A lot of
the Pyramids/ monuments of Middle Kingdom Pharaohs can be found near the Faiyum.
Abydos
gained new importance since it was seen as the place where Osiris was buried,
whose cult (centered in Abydos) grew in importance during the Middle Kingdom.
Pharaoh Senusret III built a mortuary complex in South Abydos.
See: Archaeology of South Abydos, by Josef Wegner
The
Pharaohs of the 12th dynasty started building pyramids again and the
time is seen as a renaissance period in which the Old Kingdom was seen as
example.
Placemarks:
Mentuhotep II, Mortuary Temple, Deir el-Bahri
White Pyramid Amenemhat II, Dashur
8 Mastabas and satellite pyramid, Senusret II Pyramid
Pyramid Complex Senusret III, Dashur
Funerary Complex Senusret III, Abydos
Pyramid Amenemhat III, Hawara, Faiyum