Stela of the Steward Mentuwoser

Ancient Egyptian This painted limestone stela honors Mentuwoser, an official who served as steward, granary official, and overseer of domestic animals (including pigs) during Egypt's Middle Kingdom. King Senwosret I personally presented it in year 17 of his reign, around 1944 BCE.

The inscription addresses three audiences: scribes who could read it, people who would hear it read aloud, and general visitors. Mentuwoser is praised as someone who "looked after the poor and buried the dead," revealing the moral values Egyptian officials wanted recorded for eternity. It's one of the few stelae datable to an exact regnal year.

It measures 103 x 50.5 cm and stands in Gallery 110 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.