34. Reproduction Cast of a Statue of Amenemhat, Chief of Tehkhet 

Buhen was rebuilt extensively in the New Kingdom. Hatshepsut, the female pharaoh of Egypt whose art was systematically destroyed by her successors, built the southern temple of Horus at the site. The original from which this copy was made was found at Buhen, and depicts Amenemhat as a scribe seated with one of his hands resting on a papyrus roll spread out on his lap. The inscriptions record some of his titles: ‘king’s acquaintance’ and ‘overseer of the king’s workmen’. Serving during the successive reigns of Thutmose I, Thutmose II, and Hatshepsut, he garnered other titles too: ‘true royal confidant’, ‘vigilant agent of the king’s daughter/god’s wife/lady of the two lands (referring to Hatshepsut), ‘valiant agent of the king’, ‘valiant agent in Wawat’. The statue probably once stood at the southern temple as a votive object, but was excavated in the desert sand near the inner city of Buhen. Because of Amenemhat’s connection with Hatshepsut, his statue would have been at risk and someone likely hid it there to spare it from destruction. Amenemhat was one of several known indigenous elites who chose to assimilate in the Egyptian administration. Such individuals came from powerful political families in Nubia and were able to retain their high social status within Egyptian society. Amenemhat’s father, Ruiu (Djawia), had been governor of Tehkhet in the Debeira region. His brother, Djehutyhotep (Paitsy), inherited his father’s position, followed by Amenemhat himself. These individuals held double names and depicted themselves in an Egyptian style.