Hatshepsut - The Louvre

The link below tells of a number of blocks said to be associated with the temple of Satet at Elephantine, where Hatshepsut is known to have "made her mark".

I've not seen much of Hatshepsut (or her reign) so far at the Louvre - so this could be the only report on the Louvre for a while.

The Louvre

The information provided- through the link- should give as much detail as is required.

Regards,
Stuart

Hatshepsut - Luxor Museum

When i go to Luxor again (hopeful thinking), one of my first stops will be the Luxor Museum.

My wife and i didn't have enough time and money when we went in 2008, which was a real shame. Next time we will definitely take an evening visit.

Amongst their former collections, (blocks from) Hatshepsut's Red Chapel had been on display, until being moved (further details have been provided below).

Just a taster:

http://www.suziemanley.com/may/l_museum.htm

(pictures 6 & 19)

Thanks to the site owner Suzie Manley.

Stuart


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I have edited this post to show (correctly) that the blocks USED to be a part of the Luxor Museum. As pointed out by Dr Karl Leser, the Red Chapel of Hatshepsut has been re-built and is situated today in the Karnak Temple Open Air Museum. For more information on the reconstructed Red Chapel, then please visit Dr Lesers site:

http://www.maat-ka-ra.de/english/start_e.htm

Go to: Sitemap, Monuments, Red Chapel

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Hatshepsut fake? Part 2

Recently i provided a link to Heritage Key. The story was of a possible forgery within the Berlin Museum's collections- the head of Hatshepsut (see previous story).

Following the post, I have been made aware by Dr Karl Leser that there is more to the tale than first thought.

The link below is what actually happened- as far as any testing on the head is concerned:

Fake or No Fake?

Not much of a story can really be seen here. Certainly, no comments stating that the head is a proven forgery- far from it. Should the general story be of interest to you, please follow the above link.

My thanks to Dr Leser for the update. Your help is extremely valuable to me and always welcomed.

Regards,
Stuart

Hatshepsut - Berlin Agyptisches Museum/Altes Museum

If you read my last post, then it will come as no surprise that the next museum to list is the Altes Museum in Berlin. The Altes (Old) Museum houses a number of Hatshepsut artifacts.

Here is just one example:

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:EgyptMuseumBerlin2007031.JPG

Thanks to Marcus Cyron for this picture (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Marcus_Cyron)

As i go through different museums, i will only give a taste of whats in each one- rather than the whole thing. That comes after i have located everything there is to find. I hope you guys are very patient !!

Regards,
Stuart

Hatshepsut fake?

This is a story from Rebecca T @ Heritage Key about the sniff of a forgery in Berlin.

Heritage Key Story

This was reported back in 2009 by Rebecca. I wonder how many obstacles such as this i will encounter on the search for all things Hatshepsut?

Either way, i will report on it here.

Regards,
Stuart

Egyptian Dreams discussion forum

http://forum.egyptiandreams.co.uk/index.php

When i first started to study Egypt as a hobby i soon realised that you can only learn "so much" studying on your own. It can be frustrating when you do not have the opinions of others to share.

I began to look for a discussion forum, specifically looking at Ancient Egypt. This is when i found Egyptian Dreams.

I soon got used to asking questions, putting forward theories and even helping out others to expand their knowledge. Without hesitation i recommend this discussion forum to all of you.

My only requests will be that anyone visiting the forum and then eventually joining up (free of charge)must please read the rules before starting up and at no time participate in any spamming.

I have been given permission to link to Egyptian Dreams and there are a number of the forum members who i speak to away from the forum, so please use the site as it is intended.

You will find the forum very friendly and extremely helpful to all users.

I will link to discussions which will aid the Hatshepsut Project, so you will see the quality of the Egyptian Dreams forum for yourself.

Stuart

Hatshepsut Shabtis (?)

From Maat-Ka-Ra Hatschepsut

Thanks to Dr. Leser for the work here. Please note that these are "possibly related" to Hatshepsut.

Shabti 1: Rijksmuseum, Den Haag (The Hague), Netherlands
Shabti 2: Bordeaux Museum, France

Please follow my link to Dr Lesers own work, which describes the shabtis very well and also includes translations of the shabtis.

Regards,
Stuart

Plaque - Tomb of Thutmose III

Sadly in 2010 we are unable to take photos within the Valley of the Kings. However, in 2008 photos were fine.

I purchased a ticket which allowed me to visit 3 tombs, the second of which was the tomb of Thutmose III.

Before climbing to the heavens (or a ladder for those who can handle the heat) you will notice this plaque. This tomb has some very unique artistic styles. The heat inside was enough to cut my visit short, but i would recommend a visit if the chance arises.

I am however, useless at French.

I will resume usual posting shortly. I have been "under the weather" recently, so i have been laying low...

Stuart

The Mummy of Hatshepsut

Found in KV60, mentioned in detail on Dr Zahi Hawass' own blog, Zahi Hawass. This mummy has been identified as that of Hatshepsut.

I will let Dr Hawass explain:

Regards,
Stuart

KV20

KV20 (Kings Valley tomb numbered 20).

This is the tomb intendeded for Hatshepsut (as Pharaoh).

If we visit the Valley of the Kings today we will be unable to visit this tomb. Closed off to visitors due to the perils encountered even by the best prepared Egyptologist - this tomb is unfinished, empty.

Howard Carter was the man who had the task of clearing this tomb. I have the report of his excavation, which took a mere 20 days.

To quote Carter:

"The operations, inclusive of the transport of the necessary materials to the spot, the fixing of the scaffolding, and the clearing of the tomb from end to end, took twenty days, the work continuing both day and night with relays of workmen for the night shifts."

Not 1 but 2 sarcophagi were found in the tomb itself. Both empty, both originally inscribed for Hatshepsut. Other items were also found in KV20 and at this point i hand you over to WIKI:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KV20

HUGE credit goes to Rozette Peeters. I met Rozette through an AE forum and most of the excavation reviews i have are supplied by her. These have been supplied free of charge. Her efforts are vital to this blog. Without her help and the help of other willing parties i could not continue with this blog. Rozette, Thank You.

Life, Prosperity and Health to you,

Stuart

Hatshepsut - Cairo Museum

It had to come up sooner or later. The best museum in the world- if you happen to have an interest in all things Ancient Egypt.

In their collections, they of course have items from the reign of Hatshepsut.

One such item is a head of an Osiride statue of Hatshepsut, seen here:

http://www.egyptarchive.co.uk/html/cairo_museum_28.html

Note the false beard, mentioned earlier.

This would have come from the excavations at Deir el Bahri in the late 1800s- early 1900s as a "share of the spoils".

Stuart

Photo - Osiride Statues of Hatshepsut

This photo was taken by one of the Hatshepsut Project followers, Nebojsa Milosevic in 2004. It shows the remaining Osiride statues on the 3rd Terrace of the now familiar Deir el Bahri.

Hatshepsut did not masquerade as a man, but often had herself depicted with the false beard, Nemes headdress and other symbolic items to show her role.

These statues bear all the familiar traits of Osiris, except for one thing. The face is that of Hatshepsut. Although more than likely stylised, they are elegant to view and I have always felt that she has a certain look of serenity, which adds a certain beauty.

Here the statues are viewed from the top of the second stairway/ ramp, looking right. Please see the photo at the top of this page of the temple to get a better idea of where these statues fit into the temple architecture.

Thanks to you Nebojsa.

Let me add that Nebojsa has also started a blog on the other famous female Pharaoh, Cleopatra. :

http://searchforcleopatra.blogspot.com/

Regards,
Stuart

My First False Dawn

Having read an article (one to which i do not have to hand) suggesting that the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery may have two Shabti figures, blue glazed which feature the Prenomen "Maat- Ka- Re/Ra" i decided to follow it up.

Fortunately for me, Bristol Museum is my local museum, so the journey was short ( and now very familiar after many previous visits). I "bumped into" a very helpful man (his name alludes me though- sorry) and we chatted about the Egypt Collection on display and about this blog. In particular, the shabtis.

If you do not know the museum - the main shabti display is the first thing you see, if you enter the collection at the correct door (ie not through the Assyrian Gallery ). The display us usually lit by fibre optic lights, which were currently not working as they should and consists of a number of shabtis of different colour, material, age and quality. The back wall of the display is mirrored and the eye- viewer is small but wide, so you have to get really close.

Long story short, i was unable to categorically recognise the said hieroglyphic prenomen Maat- Ka- Re/Ra.

Around the corner in a different display altogether was the second shabti. Easier to see, but only just...Hard to work out glyphs again and a crook- neck saw me on my knees, nose-to-glass but could not resolve anything.

Back the man and the badly lit shabti collection and the suggestion of the use of his torch, BINGO. A very nice gesture.

I should add that standing only inches away from me is my beautiful wife, Julie, who has been there all along.

The search by torchlight of this now very familiar set of shabtis and a long conversation with the museum - a decision was made. One of the people responsible for Bristol Museum's Egypt Gallery is Sue Giles. She had helped me via phone a long time ago when i had some questions and our museum friend (the man with no name) went to speak to Sue.

The conclusion to the conversation was the little niggle i had in the back of my head all along.. The existance of ANOTHER Maat-Ka-Re/Ra. This lady happend to be from the 21st dynasty (Hatshepsut being from the 18th Dynasty. Pharaoh Psusennes II had a daughter called Maatkare and there was also a high priestess with the same name, who may be the same person- i am not sure. The shabtis appear NOT to be Hatshepsut's

So ends the tale, but thanks to Sue, Julie and unknown man A who was very helpful and friendly,

Stuart