King Amenemhat the Third of the Twelfth Dynasty ruled Egypt for about 45 years, during which time Egypt enjoyed prosperity and peace inside and outside the country.

Amenemhat the Third was very interested in agriculture. He directed several agricultural projects in the region of Faiyum. In Sinai, he reopened the mines of turquoise and copper and enlarged the temple of Hathor, the Mistress of Turquoise, at Serabit el-Khadim.