Itakayt was an ancient Egyptian princess and queen of the

12th Dynasty The Twelfth Dynasty of ancient Egypt (Dynasty XII) is considered to be the apex of the Middle Kingdom by Egyptologists. It often is combined with the Eleventh, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth dynasties under the group title, Middle Kingdom. Some s ...

, around 1800 BC. She is mainly known from her small pyramid next to the one of

Senusret III Khakaure Senusret III (also written as Senwosret III or the hellenised form, Sesostris III) was a pharaoh of Egypt. He ruled from 1878 BC to 1839 BC during a time of great power and prosperity, and was the fifth king of the Twelfth Dynasty of the ...

at Dahshur. Dieter Arnold: ''The Pyramid Complex of Senwosret III at Dahshur, Architectural Studies'', New York 2002, , p. 63-67 She had the titles ''king's daughter of his body'', ''powerful, graceful'' and ''beloved''.

The Pyramid

Her pyramid at the North side of the king's pyramid measured about 16.80 m at the base, and was once perhaps also 16.80 m high. It was built of mud bricks and covered with limestone slabs. In front of the pyramid was a small chapel decorated with reliefs. The remains of the reliefs preserved Itakayt's name. Her burial chamber contained a sarcophagus, a canopic chest and two canopic jars.

Other sources

Itakayt is perhaps also known from a papyrus fragment found at Lahun. Here, family members of a king are listed, including Itakayt. It is uncertain to which king these members of a royal family are related. Senusret II seems to be most likely candidate, as the papyrus fragment was found at his funerary temple. This would make Itakayt a sister of Senusret III.Dodson: ''Aidan and Hilton, Dyan. The Complete Royal Families of Ancient Egypt'', Thames & Hudson. 2004. , p 96

References

{{Reflist Princesses of the Twelfth Dynasty of Egypt 19th-century BC women