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Primary sourceArtifact

Quartz Sarcophagus of Hatshepsut

One of several sarcophagi made for Hatshepsut, first as Great Royal Wife and later as king, carved from hard red quartzite.

This sarcophagus, made for Hatshepsut, reflects how her royal titles and status changed over her lifetime.

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A large reddish-brown stone sarcophagus with a flat lid, displayed behind a glass case in a museum. Carved hieroglyphic inscriptions run along its side, with standing figures of deities. Visitors are seen reflected in the glass. A small number tag reads 131.
Quartz sarcophagus of Hatshepsut, Egyptian Museum, Cairo. Photograph by Merja Attia.

About this source

What it is

This is a red quartzite sarcophagus made for Hatshepsut, finely carved with figures of deities including Isis, shown kneeling with symbols of gold and protection. It is one of three known sarcophagi connected to Hatshepsut; another was later used for the burial of king Thutmose I and is now in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This sarcophagus is displayed in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

Why it matters

Hatshepsut had different sarcophagi made at different points in her life, first as Great Royal Wife and later as reigning king. Comparing these objects helps historians trace how her status and titles changed over time. The material used, red quartzite linked to the solar cult, also reflects the religious ideas tied to Egyptian kingship.

Look closer

  • What might having multiple sarcophagi tell us about changes in Hatshepsut's position over her lifetime?
  • Why would a ruler choose a particularly hard stone like quartzite for a sarcophagus?
  • What do the images of gods like Isis suggest about beliefs around death and protection?

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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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.Artifact

Primary source

Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

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

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

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