LAHUN, AL-

also spelled El Lahun, or Illahun, ancient Egyptian site situated just north of the turn of the Bahr Yusuf canal into the Fayum in al-Fayyum muhafazah (governorate); it was the location of a Middle Kingdom (1938c. 1600? BC) pyramid and of a workmen's village of approximately the same date. The pyramid, built by King Sesostris II (reigned 184437 BC), fourth of the eight kings of the 12th dynasty, was unusual in that the entrance to the burial chamber was not in the north side of the pyramid but was found instead to the south of the structure. Although the pyramid itself was robbed in antiquity, a treasure of jewelry was discovered in the tombs of the princesses, located within the pyramid-enclosure wall. In technical perfection and artistic mastery this collection easily rivals all other Middle Kingdom objects of its type. Excavation of the village, which was also inhabited during the Second Intermediate Period (c. 16301540 BC), revealed a remarkable degree of town planning. Innumerable pieces of furniture and other household items and a mass of papyri dealing with various topics were uncovered, picturing clearly everyday life during the Middle Kingdom. Modern al-Lahun, located along a railroad, produces cotton, cereals, sugarcane, and fruits.