(fl. 19th century B.C.E.) Royal woman of the Twelfth Dynasty
The ranking consort of AMENEMHET III (r. 1844–1797 B.C.E.), A’at died at the age of 35 without producing an heir and was buried at DASHUR, an area near MEMPHIS, along with other royal women of Amenemhet III’s household. This pharaoh constructed a necropolis, or cemetery, at Dashur, also erecting a pyramid that was doomed to become a CENOTAPH, or symbolic gravesite, instead of his tomb. The pyramid displayed structural weaknesses and was abandoned after being named “Amenemhet is Beautiful.” A’at and other royal women were buried in secondary chambers of the pyramid that remained undamaged by structural faults. Amenemhet built another pyramid, “Amenemhet Lives,” at HAWARA in the FAIYUM district, the verdant marsh area in the central part of the nation. He was buried there with Princess NEFERUPTAH, his daughter or sister.
