3rd Pylon

The 3rd Pylon at Karnak Temple was erected by Amenhotep III. Within the foundations of this pylon were (amongst many other things) 319 stone blocks. These blocks would one day be reconstructed as the Red Chapel (or Chapelle Rouge). This work was carried out by workers from the Centre franco-égyptien d’étude des temples de Karnak (CFEETK).

The Red Chapel had been dismantled some time after Hatshepsut's death and eventually ended up hidden as  foundation fill. These items have survived in remarkably good condition considering the 3,500 years or so due to their re-use.

These sites have some useful information on the Third Pylon and the Red Chapel:

• Maatkara Hatschepsut - Red Chapel (Monuments, Red Chapel) 
• Osirisnet.net - Red Chapel
• Digital Karnak - Red Chapel
• Digital Karnak - 3rd Pylon

Regards,

Stuart

Updated 02/06/2012.

Hatshepsut's Obelisk at Karnak

The only standing obelisk of Hatshepsut still left in- situ in Karnak Temple complex, Egypt.

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut (Djeser Djeseru at Deir el Bahri) still has scenes showing the quarrying of 2 obelisks from a quarry in Aswan.

The Red Chapel of Hatshepsut (also situated in Karnak- now in the open- air museum) also shows the scenes of Hatshepsut erecting 2 (different) obelisks.

At Karnak today this is the only standing obelisk of Hatshepsut, but not the only one there. At the site of the scared lake, in the Amun Precinct we can see what is generally referred to as the "Fallen Obelisk of Hatshepsut". Only the tip of this obelisk remains and you get to see the Hieroglyphic inscriptions up close. I can tell you they are wonderful. The below photo from my only visit (so far) will give a taster.

Amun, being ever present as Hatshepsut's (divine) father and of course as the main deity worshiped at Karnak Temple.





For more in depth information on both the Obelisks of Hatshepsut, Karnak and the Red Chapel, I recommend a visit to:

Obelisks and Hatshepsut in Karnak -Maat-Ka-Ra-Hatschepsut

Red Chapel -Osirisnet.net

Regards,
Stuart