The Lahun Treasure Daughter of Hathor

The Lahun Treasure 

Daughter of Hathor

Princess Sithathoriunet was the daughter of Pharaoh Senusret II of the 12th Dynasty during ancient Egypt's Middle Kingdom. Her name carries the auspicious meaning "Daughter of Hathor of Dendera" Although most tombs in the pyramid complex had been looted in the past a small concealed chamber within her tomb escaped the thieves grasp. This led to the discovery of a vast array of jewelry and artifacts crafted from gold and precious gemstones. These items were found in a hidden wall niche within a shaft tomb located south of Senusret II's pyramid at El-Lahun.

Pectoral of Princess Sithathoryunet 12th Dynasty reigns of Senwosret II to Amenemhat III c. 1887–1813 BCE from el-Lahun.

The Lahun Treasure is a collection of artifacts dating back to the Middle Kingdom. It includes exquisite jewelry and gemstones bearing the names of Senusret II and Amenemhat III as well as a gold diadem discovered in February 1914 by Egyptologists Flinders Petrie and Guy Brunton. The collection also comprises personal items notably an elaborately decorated mirror with a handle featuring an inlay of the goddess Hathor a calcite oil vessel and an obsidian cosmetic container.

A limestone bust of the Goddess Hathor the goddess of love wearing a crown featuring cow horns encircling a central element dating back to the 18th Dynasty of ancient Egypt it is currently on display at the British Museum in London.

Among the most remarkable artifacts is a gold diadem adorned with plumes and a cobra Uraeus figure as well as a bronze mirror featuring an obsidian handle carved in the likeness of the goddess Hathor pieces that exemplify the exquisite artistry of the Middle Kingdom. These ornaments are currently housed at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. Princess Sithathoriunet was not only the daughter of Pharaoh Senusret II evidence indicates that she lived through the reign of her brother Pharaoh Senusret III and likely into the early reign of Pharaoh Amenemhat III as objects bearing the names of these pharaohs were discovered within her tomb.