Lisht
اللشت · Markaz al ‘Ayyāţ
village in Giza Governorate, Egypt
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Lisht, the royal necropolis of the 12th Dynasty and the site that served as the funerary heart of the Middle Kingdom’s capital, Itj-Tawy. Located south of Cairo, between Saqqara and the Fayum, Lisht represents a…
Listen in the app2The Pyramid of Amenemhat I — A Bridge to the Past
We begin at the northern pyramid, belonging to Amenemhat I, the founder of the 12th Dynasty. Amenemhat I was a visionary who moved the capital from Thebes to Itj-Tawy ('Seizer of the Two Lands') to more effectively govern a…
Listen in the app3The Pyramid of Senusret I — The Classical Standard
Moving approximately 1.5 kilometers to the south, we reach the pyramid of Senusret I, the son and successor of Amenemhat I. This monument represents the refinement of Middle Kingdom pyramid construction. …
Listen in the app4The Mastaba of Senwosret-ankh — Wisdom in Stone
One of the most significant private monuments at Lisht is the mastaba of Senwosret-ankh, a high priest of Ptah during the reign of Senusret I. Located near the southern pyramid, this tomb is a testament to the status of the…
Listen in the app5The Officials' Cemetery — The Court of Itj-Tawy
Surrounding the royal pyramids of Lisht are hundreds of mastabas and smaller tombs belonging to the officials who managed the 12th Dynasty state. This was the 'civil service' of ancient Egypt—treasurers, viziers, generals, and…
Listen in the app6The Boat Pits — Celestial Journeys
Near the pyramid of Senusret I, archaeologists have identified several boat pits, which once held full-sized wooden vessels intended for the king’s use in the afterlife. This tradition, which dates back to the earliest dynasties…
Listen in the app7The Mortuary Temples — The Living Cult
On the eastern side of each pyramid at Lisht stood a mortuary temple, the place where the cult of the deceased pharaoh was maintained by a dedicated staff of priests. These temples were the most active part of the pyramid…
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our tour of Lisht, take a moment to look out over this vast, sandy plateau. This site is a monument to the resilience and ambition of the Middle Kingdom pharaohs. …
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What is Lisht?
Lisht is a place in Markaz al ‘Ayyāţ with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Markaz al ‘Ayyāţ |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 29.5703, 31.2311 |
| Last updated |
