Middle Kingdom

Art & Architecture Thesaurus

Middle Kingdom

Refers to the second of three great periods in Egyptian civilization from about 2008 to 1630 BCE comprising the Eleventh Dynasty and Twelfth Dynasty; some sources include the Thirteenth Dynasty ending about 1630 BCE. The period is characterized by a revival of the arts seen particularly in the construction of royal funerary pyramids and temples, private rock-cut tombs and their decoration, an interest in portraiture in royal sculpture, and an overall high level of artistry and precision of execution particularly in relief sculpture and painting.

Kingdom, Middle