During the early years of the Middle Kingdom, Egypt underwent a period of artistic development. This period is defined by the widespread construction of lifelike sculptures. These sculptures were usually of rulers and were placed in temples dedicated to specific Gods (or to the ruler himself). The sculptures, it is generally assumed, were meant to project power and intimidate any potential enemies.

All of these statements about life-expectancy in ancient Egypt are accurate. At birth, life expectancy was around twenty, but those that survived infancy could expect to live into at least their thirties. It was even common for Pharaohs and noblemen to survive well into old age. Women had a much lower life-expectancy than men, however, primarily due to the inherent dangers of childbirth and the infant mortality rate was roughly fifty percent — meaning half of all children did not survive.

The Middle Kingdom gave rise to more democratic practices in Egyptian politics and society. More interest was taken in the more downtrodden members of society, public works projects were undertaken to benefit the greater good, ordinary people had access to mummification services and civil servants acquired posts formerly held by royals. However, these royals continued to have a strong grip on Egyptian politics. 

The Walls of the Prince were built during the reign of Amenemhet I. They were built to prevent invasion from Asia into northeastern Egypt.

The Pyramid Texts emerged first, during the Old Kingdom, as a way for Pharaohs to protect themselves and ensure safe passage to the afterlife after their death. The Coffin Texts emerged later, first appearing during the First Intermediate Period and flourishing during the Middle Kingdom. The Coffin Texts were based on the Pyramid Texts, but unlike the Pyramid Texts, the Coffin Texts were available to the whole Egyptian population (so long as one could afford to be buried in a coffin). Both texts were primarily comprised of funerary spells that were inscribed on the walls of the tomb or coffin.

The Coffin Texts first appeared during the First Intermediate Period and became popular during the Middle Kingdom. Like the name suggests, the Coffin Texts were a series of funerary spells that were inscribed on the walls of coffins. They were inspired by the earlier Pyramid Texts, but unlike the Pyramid Texts — which were reserved for the Pharaoh and other rulers — the Coffin Texts extended access to funerary spells, and an understanding of the afterlife, to the common people.

Shawabtis were little figurines of servants that were often buried with deceased Egyptian rulers in order to serve the ruler in the afterlife. During the Old Kingdom, they were usually built of stone. During the Middle Kingdom, they were usually built of wood. Prior to their usage in predynastic and early dynastic Egypt, however, it was relatively common for real servants to be buried alive so that they could serve the Pharaoh in the afterlife.

Flinders Petrie was a British Egyptologist in the nineteenth century. He is probably most famous for discovering the Merneptah Stele in 1896. The Merneptah Stele tells of the military exploits of King Merneptah. Petrie is also notable for discovering the ruins of Lahun — an important archaeological site that provides evidence for how the common working class of Egypt might have lived.

Pyramids built during the Middle Kingdom are distinct from pyramids built during the Old Kingdom in that they included traps and secret passageways, designed to prevent tomb raiding. This demonstrates that the ancient Egyptian rulers had learned from the past and highlights how grave robbing must have been relatively common in Egyptian society, in spite of the many social customs designed to discourage it.

The cult of Osiris began in the Old Kingdom and continued to develop in the Middle Kingdom. Egyptians believed Osiris judged them on the lives they had lead and those who lead good lives would be allowed to join the gods in the afterlife. At the height of his popularity, mere mortals were believed to connect with Osiris after death.