Tablet from the foundation deposit of Mentuhotep II

Unknown

ca. 2060–2010 B.C. · Travertine (Egyptian alabaster) · Egyptian Art

This tablet comes from a foundation deposit placed at the southeast corner of the terrace of Mentuhotep II's mortuary temple. There were four such deposits, each containing food offerings laid out in pottery dishes and miniature jars with mud stoppers that once held wine or beer. Across the top of each deposit were laid four flat mud bricks. One of these was solid; embedded in each of the other three was tablet, inscribed with the king's names and made out of one of the other materials to be used for building the temple, namely wood, stone, or metal. This example is made of travertine (Egyptian alabaster).

Artist

Unknown

Date

ca. 2060–2010 B.C.

Medium

Travertine (Egyptian alabaster)

Department

Egyptian Art

Credit line

Rogers Fund and Edward S. Harkness Gift, 1922