An obelisk-shaped stela found at Serabit el-Khadim depicts three Asiatic soldiers
equipped with axes, most probably duckbill-axes. They have distinctive haircuts mushroom-shaped coiffures and Semitic names. Moreover, there is evidence that in addition to such humble soldiers the high-ranking Egyptian functionaries who led such expeditions during the late 12th Dynasty were also of Asiatic descent. In the sanctuary of Serabit el-Khadim, a stela and an offering table of a 'royal deputy chief steward' with the Egyptian namne Imeny' were found. He was not ashamed to record his Asiatic descent nor to have himself depicted on one section of the lintel with an Asiatic beard. This indicates that people of Asiatic origin enjoyed royal confidence during this
period. As we shall see, we also have evidence from Tell el-Dab'a of the presence of high
Asiatic functionaries who were obviously in the service of the Egyptian crown.
