Decoding the Pyramid Statues of King Menkaure

Speaker: Florence Dunn Friedman, Visiting Scholar, Department of Egyptology and Assyriology, Brown University

King Menkaure’s Fourth Dynasty pyramid temples at Giza were once filled with statues, many of which represent some of the finest examples of ancient Egyptian sculpture. Crafted for eternity, these statues served as “bodies” through which the king could function in this life and the next. Their iconography, inscriptions, figural groupings, stances, gestures, and even their damage each tell a story. While these stories rarely involved ordinary Egyptians, certain statue details hint at far-reaching economic ties that did. This talk explores the mysteries behind Menkaure’s sculptures, examining their symbolism, damage, and relocation, and reveals how much they still have to say, even after thousands of years.

Advance registration recommended for online and in-person attendance.