Abstract

This chapter reconsiders the ancient Egyptian tradition of setting up stelae as boundary markers by discussing examples from the Middle and New Kingdoms. The stelae originating from Nubia, Egypt, and the ancient Near East are analysed in order to obtain a better understanding of their ideological concept. With respect to the twin boundary stelae dated to year 16 of Senusret III and discovered in the fortresses of Semna-West and Uronarti, there is strong evidence that they were replaced during the 18 th Dynasty and incorporated in shrines to guarantee their participation in the cult of their deified owner. With findings from Tell el-Borg in mind, the chapter takes a new look at old data to improve the understanding of the entire group of ancient Egyptian boundary stelae. The stela which Thutmose III established to mark the northern border of his empire is known from five royal texts and a private one. Keywords: Egyptian boundary stelae; Middle Kingdom; New Kingdom; Nubia; Senusret III; Thutmose III

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