Siptah 375The rise of MONTUHOTEP II(r. 2061–2010 B.C.E.) and
the union of the Two Kingdoms in Egypt put an end to
Asiatic incursions and renewed Egypt’s presence in the
Sinai minefields and quarries. AMENEMHET I(1991–1962
B.C.E.), the founder of the Twelfth Dynasty, assumed the
same military posture, erecting a series of fortresses on
the borders of Egypt and the Sinai. The great copper
mines of the Sinai region were in full operation at this
time.
The collapse of the Middle Kingdom and the rise of
the Hyksos in the Second Intermediate Period brought an
invasion of Asiatics from the Sinai, particularly the HYK-
SOS, who ruled the Delta region and extended Egypt’s
borders to the northern Sinai and even to parts of Pales-
tine. They were driven out of Egypt by the armies of
’AHMOSE(r. 1550–1525 B.C.E.), the founder of the New
Kingdom.
The New Kingdom (1550–1070 B.C.E.) rulers used
the Sinai quarries and mines extensively. HATSHEPSUT(r.
1473–1458 B.C.E.) left inscriptions in the region, memen-
tos of the mining expeditions conducted in her name. In
the Nineteenth Dynasty, RAMESSES II(r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.)
erected a temple at the copper mines. These mines and
quarries did not remain in Egypt’s hands after the reign of
RAMESSES III(1194–1163 B.C.E.).
Sporadic quarrying and mining operations were con-
ducted by the various rulers of the Third Intermediate
Period (1070–712 B.C.E.) in the Sinai, but they did not
sustain operations in the region. During the Late Period
(712–332 B.C.E.), only a few expeditions were supported.
The Ptolemaic Period (304–30 B.C.E.) accelerated the
operations in the Sinai to a degree, and the Romans, gain-
ing control of Egypt after the death of CLEOPATRA VIIin 30
B.C.E., institutionalized Sinai resource sites and carried
out vigorous control of the traditional and historical
operations.
Suggested Readings:Greenwood, Ned H. The Sinai: A
Physical Geography.Austin: University of Texas Press,
1997; Saadeldin, Mursi, and Ayman Aaher, Mursi Saad El
Din, ed. Sinai.New York: New York University Press,
1998; Siliotti, Alberto. Sinai.Cairo: American University
in Cairo Press, 2001.
Sinai Inscriptions These are hieroglyphic records dis-
covered on the rock walls of WADI MAGHARAin the SINAI
Peninsula. One dates to the reign of SNEFRU(2575–2551
B.C.E.), giving an account of his exploits and campaigns
against the local BEDOUINS, the Bedu or Bedwi, and his
use of the copper mines of the area.
SAHURÉ(r. 2458–2446 B.C.E.) of the Fifth Dynasty is
also depicted smiting the Bedouins on the Sinai. MEN-
KAUHOR(r. 2396–2388 B.C.E.) sent smaller expeditions
into the region, as did IZEZI(Djedkaré; r. 2388–2356
B.C.E.) during his reign. A STELAwas erected as a marker
by this expedition. PEPI I(r. 2289–2255 B.C.E.) is also
depicted smiting the Bedouins on a stela that announces
his jubilee. Queen ANKHNESMERY-RÉ(2) erected a similar
stone to commemorate an expedition during her regency
for PEPI II(r. 2246–2152 B.C.E.). This malachite stone was
discovered on a terraced region of the Sinai. Later rulers,
including AMENEMHET II(r. 1929–1892 B.C.E.) left other
inscriptions.Sinuhe the Sailor He is one of the most interesting
literary characters of the ancient world, preserved in the
BERLIN PAPYRI and in an inscription in a Twentieth
Dynasty (1196–1070 B.C.E.) tomb. The character is the
hero of a tale concerning the reign of SENWOSRET I
(1971–1926 B.C.E.), who came to the throne when his
father, AMENEMHET I, was assassinated by a HAREMplot.
Senwosret I was in Libya, campaigning there with Sinuhe,
who served as an official of Amenemhet I’s harem and
was possibly involved in some way in the harem plot. He
intended to travel south but ended up in Palestine,
Lebanon, and other lands. Sinuhe was invited to Syria by
a nobleman and married his daughter. Becoming a patri-
arch there he defends the lands and has adventures.
Sinuhe means “son of the sycamore,” a tree popular
in myths and in Egyptian love poetry. His adventures
served as models for later works, particularly the Arabian
Nights tales and the character of the modern Sinbad the
Sailor. The tale provides considerable detail about the
Middle Kingdom period, including the court of Senwos-
ret I, who invited him to return to Egypt. Sinuhe was
welcomed with gifts and a pardon. The pharaoh also
erected a fine tomb for Sinuhe.Siptah (Akhenre’setepenré, Ramesses-Siptah, Mery-
enptah)(d. 1198 B.C.E.)Seventh ruler of the Nineteenth
Dynasty
He reigned from 1204 B.C.E. until his death. He was listed
as “King’s Son,” and his mother was Queen TIA(2). He
was originally called Ramesses-Siptah, the son of SETI II.
Forensic studies indicate that Siptah was possibly a vic-
tim of poliomyelitis, appearing clubfooted. Siptah was
reportedly placed on the throne by BAY, with Queen
TWOSRETserving as his regent because of his young age.
He conducted campaigns in NUBIA(modern Sudan) in his
first regnal year, and inscriptions concerning him were
found in a temple in WADI HALFA. He also built a mortu-
ary temple north of the RAMESSEUMin THEBES(modern
Luxor).
Siptah died young and was buried in the VALLEY OF
THE KINGSwith Queen Tia. His mummified remains were
stuffed with dry lichen, and his cheeks padded by strips
of linen. His tomb was designed long and straight, with
decorated corridors, a square antechamber, and a burial
place with four pillars. A red granite sarcophagus was in
the burial room. Siptah was moved in a later era, because