King Senusert the First was the second king of the Twelfth Dynasty. His reign was during a time when literature and craftsmanship were at their peak. It was a period of affluence and a remarkable time for mineral wealth, gold, and the fine jewelry produced with abundance.

Considerable efforts were made to procure amethyst, turquoise, and copper for both jewelry and sculptures. But it was also a time of great stability and development.

Senusert the First built his pyramid and funerary temple at Lisht, near Faiyum. This was the new residence that he made after Thebes was abandoned. Many statues of him were found there.

He built an elegant bark-station, or shrine, for Amun-Re at Karnak. It depicts marvelous reliefs showing the king's relationships with the Theban deities.