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Primary sourceArtifactcirca 1479–1458 BCE

Scarab Inscribed for Hatshepsut

circa 1479–1458 BCE

A faience scarab carved with Hatshepsut's name, dating to the early years of Dynasty 18.

This scarab carries Hatshepsut's name, showing how her royal identity was marked on small personal objects.

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Oval blue-green glazed faience scarab seen from its flat inscribed base. Carved dark hieroglyphic signs include a bird-like figure at top, a seated figure with a tall feather-like sign, and small signs at left and right.
Scarab inscribed for Hatshepsut, notched back, circa 1479–1458 BCE.

About this source

What it is

This is a small glazed faience scarab with a notched back, inscribed on its flat base with hieroglyphic signs including Hatshepsut's name. It dates to the New Kingdom, early Dynasty 18, around her reign.

Why it matters

Scarabs bearing a ruler's name were common small objects in ancient Egypt, often used as seals or amulets. This example shows how Hatshepsut's royal name circulated on everyday objects, not only on grand monuments, spreading her identity as ruler widely.

  • What does the small size of this object suggest about how it might have been used or carried?
  • Why might rulers want their names on many different kinds of objects?
  • What can the hieroglyphic signs tell us, and what do they leave unexplained?

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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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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