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Primary sourceArtifactc. 1492–1473 BCE

Spherical Jar Inscribed with Hatshepsut's Titles as Queen

c. 1492–1473 BCE

An alabaster jar carved with hieroglyphic titles naming Hatshepsut as queen, from before she became pharaoh.

This jar is inscribed with Hatshepsut's titles from her time as queen, before she became pharaoh.

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Photograph of a spherical alabaster jar with a wide flat rim and short neck, its body banded in pale cream and orange tones. A rectangular panel on the side is carved with incised hieroglyphic signs, including a cartouche-like sign, against a gray studio backdrop.
Spherical jar inscribed with Hatshepsut's titles as queen, alabaster, c. 1492–1473 BCE.

About this source

What it is

This is a spherical alabaster jar with a wide flat rim and short neck, dating from around 1492–1473 BCE, early in the Eighteenth Dynasty. A rectangular panel on its side is carved with hieroglyphic signs, including a cartouche-like sign, naming Hatshepsut's titles.

Why it matters

At this point in her life, Hatshepsut held the title of queen rather than pharaoh. Objects like this jar, inscribed with her name and titles, are direct evidence of her status before she took the throne, helping historians trace how her position changed over time.

Look closer

  • What might this jar have been used for in daily or ceremonial life?
  • Why would someone carve a ruler's titles onto an everyday object like a jar?
  • How does this object differ from the sculptures that show Hatshepsut as pharaoh?

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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