El hermano de la madre y el hijo de la hermana en el Reino Medio

Analysing some specific kin types can help one to understand general aspects of social structure. In this article the author focuses on the status of mother's brother and sister's son using Middle Kingdom stelae, demonstrating that, at least during this period, lineal relations prevail over collateral ones. Mother's brother and sister's son, as well as other collateral relatives, are depicted in a non-differentiated way in monuments, given that they lack an elevated position in the framework of extended families. This homogeneous representation of egocentric groups should, however, not be considered egalitarian, since it is employed precisely to emphasise the status of the individual in relation to whom those groups are constructed.