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Primary sourceArtifactc. 1479–1458 BCE

Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

Senenmut and/or Hapuseneb (attributed) · c. 1479–1458 BCE

A grand tiered temple built into the cliffs at Deir el-Bahari, commissioned by Hatshepsut as her monument to the gods and to her own rule.

This temple was commissioned by Hatshepsut as her own monument and main statement of royal power.

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View of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari, a tiered stone building with long colonnades and ramps set against towering tan limestone cliffs under a clear blue sky. Small figures and a low shelter are visible in the foreground.
Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (Djeser-Djeseru), Deir el-Bahari, c. 1479–1458 BCE.

About this source

What it is

This is a huge stone temple built into the limestone cliffs at Deir el-Bahari on the west bank of the Nile. It was commissioned by Hatshepsut and is traditionally linked to officials such as Senenmut and Hapuseneb. It still stands in its original location today.

Why it matters

The temple was Hatshepsut's main architectural project and a way to show her power as ruler. Its terraces and colonnades carried carved scenes defending her right to be king, even though kingship was normally a man's role. It tells us how rulers used buildings to shape how people saw them.

Look closer

  • Why might a ruler build such a large temple instead of just a tomb?
  • What does the setting against the cliffs suggest about the builders' goals?
  • What parts of the story does a building like this leave out?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Hatshepsut on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Photograph of a carved sandstone relief panel at Karnak. Columns of hieroglyphs divide the panel. On the left, a figure in a tall crown strides with one arm raised. On the right, a standing figure in a kilt faces left. Blue sky and a palm tree appear at the edge.Photograph

Secondary source

Hatshepsut Dancing Before Min, Karnak Relief

Carole Reeves · 1989

Painted relief on a temple wall showing men carrying a tree in a basket with a pole, between stylized incense trees and a palm, in orange, red and cream colors, with hieroglyphs above and a wave-pattern band below.Sculpture

Primary source

Punt Expedition Reliefs

Royal workshops of Hatshepsut · c. 1470 BCE

Photograph of a dark grey stone sculpture of a head, mounted on a red rectangular pedestal against a white background. The head has a tall, smooth-topped headdress, carved eyes, nose and mouth, and a worn surface. Catalogue label MM 11423 appears at lower right.Sculpture

Primary source

Sculpture Head Probably of Hatshepsut

Photograph of a seated limestone statue of a figure wearing a royal headcloth with a pleated nemes and a false beard-less face, hands resting on the lap, seated on a block with hieroglyphic inscriptions on its side.Sculpture

Primary source

Seated Statue of Hatshepsut

c. 1466 BCE

A tall, slender tapering stone obelisk with a pyramidion tip stands among ruined sandstone blocks under a clear blue sky. Carved hieroglyphic inscriptions run vertically down its face. Fallen and stacked stone fragments surround it.Artifact

Primary source

Obelisk of Hatshepsut

c. 1500 BCE

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