#HATSHEPSUT MORTUARY TEMPLE

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XPLORALYA: "EGYPT THE LAND OF KINGS"

XPLORALYA: “EGIPTO, LA TIERRA DE LOS REYES” Therese Tawile Secretary General FIJET – LEBANON Travel Writer, Prensa Especializada Egypt is connecting Africa, Asia and Europe through the Mediterranean Sea.  Egipto conecta África, Asia y Europa a través del Mar Mediterráneo. Dating back thousands of years the land of Egypt have witnessed the succession of civilizations, the migration of people…

[ancientegyptdaily]

Mortuary Temple of female pharaoh Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari.

EGYPT FROM ABOVE (2020) — (1.01) Egypt's Ancient Empire

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Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

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Traveling Egypt

Day One: The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (November 1st)

Figure 1: Birds Eye View of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (Explore Luxor 2024)

As I traveled through Egypt, one of the first places that I had to visit was the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. From what I already know of the temple, it depicts the rule of Queen Hatshepsut, who had a relatively peaceful reign as a female ruler of Egypt. As I walked along the western bank of the Nile River, near Luxor, the temple stood out in the valley where it rested. It was an outstanding sight, looking as if it had been carved out of the valley itself due to how well it blended into the natural landscape of the area surrounding it (Explore Luxor, 2024).

Getting closer revealed the three distinct levels, each with a terrace, that made up the immense temple. Heading in, past the statues and massive pillars at the front of the temple, the first level had several altars where rituals were performed to pay tribute to Queen Hatshepsut. From what I had seen, people were leaving fruits and other types of foods at one of the altars. The prayers seemed to be known by all of the locals that I had seen performing the rituals (Lumen Learning, 2024).

Going up to the second level felt like watching a story unfold along the walls. There were depictions of Queen Hatshepsut’s reign, her successes, and everything she had accomplished during her time ruling Egypt. There were also portrayals of her being on the same level as the deity Amun-Ra, who was claimed to be her father. This was seemingly used to strengthen her claim to the throne. By being the daughter of a divine being, it would have been hard to argue her position as a ruler of Egypt (Journey to Egypt, 2024).

One of the successes I saw highlighted was her mission to the Land of Punt, nine years into her reign as Queen. In this mission, she managed to establish strong trade lines with other countries, which helped build Egypt's wealth. From what I understood, this strengthened her public image, despite her being a female ruler. Since the role of the pharaoh was traditionally masculine, Queen Hatshepsut likely had to ensure that she did what was best and not fail, lest she be seen in a more negative light (Brooklyn Museum, 2024). In the temple, there was also a representation of Queen Hatshepsut being portrayed as superior to her stepson, Thutmose III, the true pharaoh of Egypt during her rule (Lumen Learning, 2024).

On the third floor of the temple, I saw a shrine. This was a shrine to the God Amun-Ra, her father. From what I had gathered from people on the first floor, this third floor was where the most sacred rituals were performed for Amun-Ra. Queen Hatshepsut had this specifically done to show her connection to the god. This helped reinforce the idea of a divine entity being her father, and in turn, solidified her claim to the throne, even though she was ruling instead of her too-young stepson (Ohio State University, 2024).  

Day Two: The Karnak Temple (November 3rd)

Figure 2: Image of the Karnak Temple (Dreamstime 2024)

The next temple I visited on the west bank, still sticking to Luxor, was the Karnak Temple. From my knowledge, the Karnak Temple is the largest Egyptian temple and one of the largest in the world (Biston-Moulin and Thiers, 2019). The temple is dedicated to several deities, as most Egyptian temples are, but it has a particular focus on the god Amun-Ra.

Seeing the temple, it was clear why it was described as the largest in the country. The temple stood out clearly amongst its surroundings. However, instead of being a singular temple, it appeared to be a series of interconnected temples. I later learned that this was because several pharaohs had added onto it to worship more deities over time. The large pillars and columns that were constructed cast an intimidating image. The contrasting architectural styles of the different pharaohs who expanded the temple were also visible (Egyptian Museum, 2024).

At the entranceway, there’s a gateway that has two statues of Ramses II, sitting as if they were guarding the temple. Going further in, there’s an entrance pylon lined with sphinxes on both sides. The sphinxes represent symbols of protection. As I walked further, I entered the courtyard of Amenhotep III, where there were giant statues of gods and pharaohs alike. As I made my way through the halls of the temple, I entered Hypostyle Hall, where several towering columns stood. I counted 134 of them, each adorned with intricate carvings and hieroglyphs. These columns told their own stories, depicting gods, kings, and even religious rites (Creasman, 2013).

Even further yet, there was the sanctuary of Amun-Ra. This sanctuary was the holiest place in the entire temple, so much so that only a select few could enter it—the pharaoh and the high priests. Inside the sanctuary, I saw a statue of Amun-Ra, who is known as the creator and king of the gods. Looking through the hieroglyphs, it was clear how important and highly worshipped Amun-Ra was. The hieroglyphs engraved in the sanctuary all spoke of his immense power (Egyptian Museum, 2024).

From what I saw throughout the Karnak Temple, Amun-Ra was constantly mentioned. He was a steady presence throughout the entirety of the temple, which speaks to just how crucial he was to Egyptian religion. He provides protection and commands respect because of the immense power he is believed to possess (Journey to Egypt, 2024).

Day Three: Temple of Luxor (November 5th)

Figure 3: Image of the Temple of Luxor (iStock 2024)

I decided to stay within Luxor and follow the path I had seen two days ago, going from the Karnak Temple to the Temple of Luxor. The pathway was clear and lined with several sphinxes to ensure the traveler's safety going from one sacred place to another. The Temple of Luxor, from what I’ve gathered from the others in the area, was also mainly devoted to Amun-Ra, tying in the religious importance of Egyptian deities to their architecture and how several pharaohs ruled the region (Journey to Egypt 2024; Unruh 2018).

Getting closer to the temple, I could see just how grand the temple was. There were several enormous statues and towers, and the temple itself was immense, likely with several different parts to worship the deities. At the entrance of the temple, there was a pylon with several hieroglyphic inscriptions from what I could see. There are two towering obelisks, likely marking the triumphs of pharaohs as they normally do (Unruh 2018). These obelisks are symbolic of the Sun God, Ra (Amun-Ra is the creator of the world in Egyptian religion, as the Air God Amun had absorbed the Sun God Ra to become Amun-Ra) (Egyptian Museum 2024).

Just before that pylon, I saw a courtyard with several large statues of pharaohs. This connection between the pharaohs being present where deities are worshipped puts the pharaohs at the same level as the gods, to show their power. From what I understand, from the other two places I visited as well, this seems to be a common theme among all the temples (Creasman 2013; Attalus 2024).

As I went further into the temple, I passed what is known as the Hypostyle Hall, where I took in the extensive space that had several rows of columns, all of which had several hieroglyphic engravings. All of the columns, I assume, tell different stories, as it is a common theme among temples that I have seen thus far (Biston-Moulin and Thiers 2019). In this hall, the ceiling is covered in a blue color, resembling the color of the sky. Taking a closer look at the columns, I could see that the hieroglyphic engravings fully explain that pharaohs have a divine right to rule, which is something that is consistently shown in other temples as well (University College London 2024).

Walking further into the temple, I saw the sanctuary, which is known as the holiest part of the Temple of Luxor. The sanctuary is devoted to the god Amun, who is also known as the protector of pharaohs. By asking the others around the temple, I had gathered that priests perform rituals to honor Amun and to offer prayers (Egyptian Museum 2024). I walked around the sanctuary to see what engravings were on the walls and to decipher what they could mean. From what I could understand, there are carvings of gods, pharaohs, and other religious references that are understood better by those who follow this religion (Creasman 2013).

Day Four: Abu Simbel Temple (November 7th)

Figure 4: Image of Abu Simbel (The Great Temple) (Encyclopaedia Britannica 2024)

Two days later, I stayed within Luxor, to reach the next place on my list, known as the Abu Simbel Temples. Like the others, this was also built on the western bank of the Nile River, closer to the Nubian border than the others. From what I know of these temples, it was built by Pharaoh Ramses II during his reign. He is known as one of Egypt's most powerful and celebrated rulers (Acropolis Library 2024). There are two different temples that make up the Abu Simbel Temples. The larger one is known as the Great Temple, and the smaller one is known as the Temple of Hathor, dedicated to Queen Nefertari, Pharaoh Ramses II’s wife (State Information Service, Egypt 2024).

I decided to go to the Great Temple and there I saw why it was called the Great Temple. There were four statues, easily about 20 meters tall, all of Pharaoh Ramses II. They posed an intimidating image, which was likely the reason they were there, to show the prowess of the pharaoh. Each of them showed the pharaoh on a throne, in royal clothes, and regalia that signified his status. The inclusion of the regalia emphasized his power and authority. By talking to others heading into the temple, I learned that all of the statues were carved into the cliffs of sandstone (World History Encyclopedia 2024).

Around the statues of Ramses II, I saw smaller statues of members of his family (including his children), which is a sort of symbolism of him being a ruler and a father. Walking closer to the temple, I could see that there were hieroglyphics carved above the entrance. I couldn’t decipher them myself, but by asking others around me, I learned that it declared Ramses' divine right to rule and commemorate his military victories, especially the Battle of Kadesh against the Hittites (American Research Center in Egypt 2024).

The Battle of Kadesh against the Hittites was fought in 1275 BCE, with Pharaoh Ramses II against King Muwatalli II. In this battle, known as one of the largest ever chariot battles, Ramses II led a military invasion to recapture the city of Kadesh, which was under Hittite control. The battle was known to support the prowess of Pharaoh Ramses II as it’s known as a great victory for him (Acropolis Library 2024).

As I walked further into the temple, I saw six columns, all enormous, with Ramses’ military victories engraved into them. Along with that, there were religious references as well, which is consistent with the engravings in the previous temples as well (Biston-Moulin and Thiers 2019). Further along, there was a chamber that held four statues, three of which were of Gods Amun, Ra-Horakhty, and Ptah, and another statue of Ramses II. This also reinforces the idea that pharaohs are divine beings who are held in the same regard as the gods that they worship (State Information Service, Egypt 2024).

After I saw the Great Temple, I made my way to the smaller of the two Abu Simbel Temples. The Temple of Hathor was smaller but was no less impressive. There were statues at the entrance, six of them, four of which were of Pharaoh Ramses II and two of which were of Queen Nefertari. Something that was special about this temple was that all of the statues were the same size, between the Pharaoh and the Queen. This showed the mutual respect they had for each other, as normally, the statues of the Pharaoh would be significantly larger than the other statues unless they were those of Gods (World History Encyclopedia 2024). Going into the temple itself showed several engravings that represented the Queen’s divine status, and how devoted the Pharaoh was to her, as well as including her devotion to the deities (Brooklyn Museum 2024).

Day Five: The Valley of the Kings (November 9th)

Figure 5: Image of the Valley of the Kings ("Valley of the Kings," Journey to Egypt, accessed December 23, 2024)

The final location on my list of places to visit is the Valley of the Kings. Like the previous temples, the Valley of the Kings is located on the west bank of the Nile River, and from what I know already, it serves as the royal burial ground for pharaohs and their family members, as well as burials for nobles. The Valley of the Kings is a valley surrounded by cliffs and serves very well as a burial ground for royalty. Getting more information about the valley itself was difficult since there are royal tombs in the valley, and tomb-raiding is too common of a crime, especially if it’s of a pharaoh. From what I did learn, however, is that there are two major areas, the East Valley and the West Valley. The East Valley is where most of the royal tombs are located. The West Valley is where there are fewer royal tombs. Seeing the entrance of what I presumed were the tombs was a feat in itself. They were carved into the cliffs that make up the valley and are barely visible (Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities 2024).

The tombs were sealed, so exploring them would not be possible. However, by talking to those who know how these are built, and given examples of the burial rituals of Egyptians, I would be able to understand and see just how important these tombs are to Egyptians. Talking to locals, I learned several things about Egyptian burial practices that apply to royals, more specifically pharaohs. The tombs are constructed specifically for each pharaoh and the wealth and treasures that are buried with them, as they were seen as necessary for the afterlife. The tombs themselves were constructed in a way to showcase the king's journey to the afterlife, with several chambers that had detailed carvings and paintings. Along with the journey to the afterlife, there are also depictions of how the pharaohs lived, giving insight into their life (University College London 2024).

Pharaoh Ramses II is also known to be buried in one of the tombs in the Valley of the Kings. There are intricate items that provide an understanding of the political, spiritual, and even artistic aspects of Egypt. Some of the items that are in the tombs with the bodies of the pharaohs, not including priceless jewels and various other displays of wealth, are things like pots. These smaller things are seen as important for the journey to the afterlife to ensure eternal life for the deceased pharaohs (Acropolis Library 2024). Along with this, something that is present in all tombs is scriptures that represent "chapters for coming forth by day." From what I gathered, these scriptures, these texts, are meant to aid and protect those who have passed on their journey to the afterlife (University College London 2024).

Bibliography

Acropolis Library. 2024. "Ramses II." Acropolis Library. Accessed November 20, 2024. https://library.acropolis.org/ramses-ii/.

American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE). 2024. "The Battle of Kadesh." ARCE. Accessed November 20, 2024. https://arce.org/event/battle-kadesh/.

Attalus. 2024. "Luxor." Attalus: A Website for Ancient History. Accessed November 20, 2024. https://www.attalus.org/egypt/luxor.html.

Biston-Moulin, Frédéric, and Bernard Thiers. 2019. "The Karnak Project." HAL Open Science. Accessed November 20, 2024. https://shs.hal.science/halshs-02056329/file/18_Biston-Moulin_Thiers_Karnak_project.pdf.

Brooklyn Museum. 2024. "Hatshepsut." The Dinner Party: Place Settings. Accessed November 20, 2024. https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/eascfa/dinner_party/place_settings/hatshepsut.

Creasman, Peter. 2013. "Archaeological Research in the Valley of the Kings and Ancient Thebes." University of Arizona. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.ltrr.arizona.edu/~pcreasman/UAEEfiles/Creasman2013.pdf.

Dreamstime. "Luxor Karnak Temple: Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Sculptures on the Large East Bank of the Nile River, Egypt." Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.dreamstime.com/luxor-karnak-temple-ancient-egyptian-pharaoh-sculptures-large-east-bank-nile-river-egypt-image113261389.

Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities. 2024. "Valley of the Kings." Egyptian Monuments. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://egymonuments.gov.eg/archaeological-sites/valley-of-the-kings/.

Egyptian Museum. 2024. "Deities: Amun." Egyptian Museum. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://egyptianmuseum.org/deities-amun.

Egyptian Museum. 2024. "Middle Kingdom Monuments: Karnak." Egyptian Museum. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://egyptianmuseum.org/explore/middle-kingdom-monuments-karnak.

Egyptian Museum. 2024. "New Kingdom Monuments: Abu Simbel." Egyptian Museum. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://egyptianmuseum.org/explore/new-kingdom-monuments-abu-simbel.

Encyclopaedia Britannica. "Abu Simbel." Last modified December 22, 2024. https://www.britannica.com/place/Abu-Simbel.

Explore Luxor. 2024. Temple of Hatshepsut. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://exploreluxor.org/temple-of-hatshepsut/.

iStock. "Luxor Temple Main View at Beautiful Sunset Light, Egypt." Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/luxor-temple-main-view-beautiful-sunset-light-egypt-gm1322882224-408719364.

Journey to Egypt. 2024. "Karnak Temple." Journey to Egypt. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.journeytoegypt.com/en/discover-egypt/karnak-temple.

Lumen Learning. 2024. "Hatshepsut." World Civilization. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://courses.lumenlearning.com/suny-hccc-worldcivilization/chapter/hatshepsut/.

Ohio State University. 2024. "Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, Deir el-Bahri." Exploring Architecture and Landscape. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/exploringarchitectureandlandscape/chapter/temple-of-queen-hatshepsut-deir-el-bahri/.

Ohio State University. 2024. "Temple of Ramses II." Exploring Architecture and Landscape. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://ohiostate.pressbooks.pub/exploringarchitectureandlandscape/chapter/temple-of-ramses-ii/.

State Information Service, Egypt. 2024. "Abu Simbel." State Information Service. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.sis.gov.eg/Story/170023/Abu-Simbel?lang=en-us.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 2024. "Nubia." The Met. Accessed November 22, 2024. https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/collection-areas/egyptian-art/temple-of-dendur-50/nubia.

Unruh, Mathew. 2018. "Continuity at Luxor Temple." History in the Making, Volume 11, Article 15: Pages 247-256. Accessed November 22, 2024. http://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1010&context=history-in-the-making.

University College London. 2024. "Burial Customs in the New Kingdom." Digital Egypt for Universities. Accessed November 23, 2024. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-static/digitalegypt//burialcustoms/nk.html.

University College London. 2024. "The Book of the Dead: Frontispiece." Digital Egypt for Universities. Accessed November 23, 2024. https://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums-static/digitalegypt//literature/religious/bdfront.html.

"Valley of the Kings." Journey to Egypt. Accessed November 23, 2024. https://www.journeytoegypt.com/en/discover-egypt/valley-of-the-kings. Image.

Wikimedia Commons. 2024. "Entrance of Karnak Temple, Luxor." Last modified 2015. Accessed November 23, 2024. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Entrance_of_Karnak_Temple_,_Luxor.JPG.

World History Encyclopedia. 2024. "Abu Simbel: Interior of the Temple of Ramesses II." World History Encyclopedia. Accessed November 23, 2024. https://www.worldhistory.org/image/15454/abu-simbel-interior-of-the-temple-of-ramesses-ii/.

Womack, Olivia. 2020. "Abu Simbel: The Beginnings of World Heritage." Tenor of Our Times, Volume 9, Article 10: Pages 61-75. Accessed November 23, 2024. https://scholarworks.harding.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1150&context=tenor.

[panafrocore]

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut: A Masterpiece of Ancient African Architecture

The mortuary temple of Hatshepsut, known as Djeser-Djeseru which means “Holy of Holies,” stands as a remarkable tribute to the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut during the Eighteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt. This architectural masterpiece is nestled opposite the city of Luxor, flaunting its grandeur and significance in the history of African architecture. As you approach the temple, your eyes are…

[intriguingpeoplebyangelafloyd]

HATSHEPSUT TEMPLE

MORTUARY TEMPLE OF HATSHEPSUT

Djeser-Djeseru, Deir el-Bahari

The temple was built during the reign of Pharaoh Hatshepsut in the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. It is one of the most famous Ancient Egyptian sites which has thousands of tourists visiting it each year. Hatshepsut’s tomb (KV20) lies inside and it was constructed during year 7 (or 12) of her rule. 

            The temple has suffered through time, after Hatshepsut’s death, Egyptian rulers attempted to erase her name and face; thankfully, most of the references to her on her temple remain intact. Akhenaten ordered the images of Egyptian gods, including Amun to be erased - however his son Tutankhamun and those after him had these damages repaired. There was an earthquake which also harmed the temple during the Intermediate Period. During 6-8th centuries the image of Jesus Christ was painted over reliefs, the last graffiti is dated back to 1223. The temple became popular after a British traveller in 1737 visited the site, excavations wasn’t conducted until the 19th century.

            On 17 November 1997, an Islamic terrorist attack took place at the temple. Tourists were targeted, and 62 people were killed and mutilated. At 8:30-9am, the terrorists killed tourists and four Egyptians (including two armed guards). The tourists were trapped inside the temple, when the attack took place and they left a leaflet behind which read, ‘no tourists in Egypt’. The youngest victim was a child aged 5 from England, Shaunnah Turner. Only 26 people survived the attack. Afterwards the terrorists hijacked a bus and ran into Egyptian authorities and a shootout took place, one was injured and the rest fled into the hills where their lifeless bodies were found inside a cave (after taking their own lives). The victims were from Switzerland, Japan, England, Germany, Egypt, Colombia, Bulgaria and France. The perpetrators were from al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya, an Egyptian Islamic group, who was an anti-government force.

#hatshepsut #ancientegypt #mortuarytempleofhatshepsut #djeserdjeseru #deirelbahari

[jontycrane]

Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Medinet Habu, and Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III

Three quite different temples on the West Bank of Luxor, all close to the Valley of the Kings, visited with a driver in the course of one afternoon along with the Valley of the Queens. The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut is unique among ancient Egyptian temples for its striking design, and location at the base of the cliffs of Deir el-Bahri. A 1km causeway runs through the centre up three…

[egypt-ancient-and-modern]

Hathoric capital from the mortuary temple of Hatshepsut.

[whencyclopedia]

A Gallery of Ancient Egyptian Temples

The temple in ancient Egypt was the home of the deity it was built for, and the clergy attended the statue of that god or goddess as they would a living person. Every temple was designed with a forecourt, a reception area for public gatherings, and an inner area, which included the Holy of Holies where the god lived.

This room, which housed the statue of the god, could only be entered by the high priest who would commune with the deity and intercede for the king and people. Each temple was understood as the point at which that god or goddess had come into the earthly plane in the earliest times and so were linked with the ancient past, no matter when they were built. They were also designed to represent the ben-ben, the primordial mound of earth, which rose from the watery chaos at the beginning of time and upon which the god Amun stood to create the world. Exceptions to this paradigm are mortuary temples dedicated to monarchs, as in the case of Hatshepsut, but even these were constructed with the gods in mind.

This gallery presents a sampling of some of the best-known and lesser-known temples of ancient Egypt (most from the New Kingdom, c. 1570 to c. 1069 BCE) along with images of some of the gods worshipped. The only exception to this is the god Bes who is thought to have had, at most, one temple dedicated to him but was sometimes venerated at temples or shrines dedicated to the goddess Hathor, as at her birth house in Dendera.

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[egypt-museum]

Eagle sculpture of the ancient Egyptian god Horus in the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut.

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Sphinx of Hatshepsut New Kingdom. Dynasty 18. Ca. 1479–1458 B.C. Granite. H: 164 cm (64 9/16 in.); L: 343 cm (135 1/16 in.); Wt: 6758.6 kg (14900 lb.).

This colossal sphinx portrays the female pharaoh Hatshepsut with the body of a lion and a human head wearing a nemes–headcloth and false beard. The sculptor has carefully observed the powerful muscles of the lion as contrasted to the handsome, idealized face of the pharaoh. It was one of at least six granite sphinxes that stood in Hatshepsut's mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri.

The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 131.

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Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut, Luxor

[ancientegyptdaily]

Mortuary temple of female pharaoh Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. EGYPT FROM ABOVE (2020) — (1.01) Egypt's Ancient Empire

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“The Fourth Way” (Other versions of Sphinx. 1. Cairo Museum, 2. Karnak Temple, 3. Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut, 4. Karnak Temple (sphinx with ram head)

[fromthedust]

Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple Complex, situated across the river from the modern city of Luxor. The temple is three stories tall, connected by ramps and terraces. In its day, it contained shrines, chapels, and the sanctuary of Amun-re. These were all woven together with carved reliefs, reflecting pools, and elaborate gardens of exotic plants and trees. Her temple rose from beside the River Nile with a long ramp ascending from a courtyard of trees and small pools to a terrace. Some of these trees were brought from Punt and are the first known successful transplants of trees from one nation to another in history. The remains of these trees, fossilized tree stumps, can still be seen in the courtyard of the temple in the present day.

Symbolism abounds in Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple; symbols that suggest Hatshepsut had a divine right to rule. The temple is not only home to the mortuary shrine dedicated to Hatshepsut, but also includes sanctuaries dedicated to the gods Anubis, Hathor, a local incarnation of Amun, Re, and Hatshepsut’s father Thutmosis I. Hatshepsut honored the god Amun by placing his shrine in the central position of the temple rather than her own, as was normal for pharaohs. By including a shrine to the god Hathor, Hatshepsut symbolically revitalized the tradition of monumental architecture that began in the pyramid building era, which typically included shrines honoring Hathor.

The temple of Hatshepsut was considered to be a wonder of the ancient world by architects. Located at the bottom of limestone cliffs, the temple had courtyards and terraced colonnades that seems to be going up the side of the mountain. The lower levels of the temple had gardens with fragrant trees and pools. The temple had huge images of Hatshepsut with over 100 large statues of Pharaoh Hatshepsut as a sphinx, guarding the processional way. Hatshepsut's burial chamber (tomb KV20) was carved out of the cliffs which form the back of the building.

Hatshepsut's temple was so admired by the pharaohs who came after her that they increasingly chose to be buried nearby and this necropolis came to eventually be known as the Valley of the Kings.

The building of the temple was probably overseen by Senenmut, her trusted advisor who some researchers speculate may have also been her lover.

Queen Hatshepsut (1507-1458) was the longest reigning female Pharaoh in Egyptian history, ruling from 1473-1458 BCE. Hatshepsut was daughter of Ahmose, named from her grandfather Pharaoh Ahmose I, who ruled before Thutmosis I and founded Egypt’s eighteenth dynasty. Hatshepsut’s daughters were more closely related to the royal dynasty than Thutmosis III or his son and heir.

[madamlaydebug]

There was once a land so rich and mysterious that it was hailed as a paradise by ancient pharaohs, yet today its exact location remains one of history's tantalizing enigmas.

This is the ancient land of Punt, often referred to as 'God's Land' by the Egyptians. Famed for its wealth in gold, incense, and exotic wildlife, Punt was the center of a bustling trade network thousands of years ago.

However, despite its once-celebrated status, it mysteriously vanished from historical records, leaving academics and adventurers seeking to rediscover its lost splendor.

The knowledge of Punt and its history is primarily derived from ancient Egyptian sources, as they were the most prolific record-keepers of their interactions with this mysterious land.

The most vivid and informative of these records are the temple reliefs found in Deir el-Bahri, part of the mortuary temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

These reliefs depict the famous expedition to Punt commissioned by Hatshepsut around 1490 BCE, providing detailed images of the Puntite people, their houses on stilts, and the goods brought back to Egypt, including gold, ebony, myrrh, and living incense trees.

There was once a land so rich and mysterious that it was hailed as a paradise by ancient pharaohs This is the ancient land of Punt, often referred to as 'God's Land' by the Egyptians. Famed for its wealth in gold, incense, and exotic wildlife, Punt was the center of a bustling trade network thousands of years ago.

This shift could have been exacerbated by the rise of other trading powers in the region, which offered similar or more accessible commodities.

The economic decline, as a result of these shifting trade dynamics, could have led to a gradual fading of Punt from the prominent position it once held.

Additionally, there is speculation that internal societal changes within Punt itself, such as political upheaval or social unrest, might have contributed to its decline.

The lack of direct historical records from Punt makes it challenging to ascertain the nature of its political and social structures, but like many civilizations, it is conceivable that internal factors played a role in its eventual disappearance.

Some scholars also consider the possibility that the decline of the Egyptian Empire, which was a major trading partner of Punt, could have had a significant impact.

As Egypt's power and wealth waned, its ability to undertake expansive trading expeditions like those to Punt would have diminished, thereby reducing one of Punt's key economic lifelines