More on Hatsheput Foundation Deposits from Catherine Roehrig

A recent free lecture was held regarding the Hatshepsut Foundation Deposits, by Catherine Roehrig- Curator of the Mertopolitan Museum of Art. Here's a description:

"Of the eleven excavated foundation deposits that are connected with the Eighteenth Dynasty temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahri, one was discovered by Naville in 1894-95, two were discovered by Howard Carter and Lord Carnarvon in 1910 and 1911, and nine were discovered by the Metropolitan Museum of Art between 1922 and 1927. Largely based on the positions of these foundation deposits, Herbert Winlock postulated an original, unrealized plan for the temple that was very similar to the neighboring Eleventh Dynasty temple of Nebhepetr. A careful examination of the notes and photographs taken by the Metropolitan Museum excavation team does indicate that there are two sets of foundation deposits laying out an earlier and a later building phase. However, the first layout appears to be influenced by the existence of an early Eighteenth Dynasty structure, not by the plan of Mentuhotep’s temple"

From ARCE (American Rsearch Centre in Egypt).

It seems that a publication may be forthcoming. This will prove to be an interesting read. Please inform me if anyone out there hears any confirmation of this possible publcation.

Regards,
Stuart

Foundation Deposits by Tour Egypt

In an earlier post i mentioned foundation deposits. Within the post i said:

"I cannot say for sure why foundation deposits were deemed necessary"

Looking further into this (and there's a good deal of online resources for this) - the placing of foundation deposits was part of a much larger ritualistic ceremony. Information provided by TourEgypt gives us the full ceremony and how foundation deposits fit into it:

Beginning the Construction

1. "Stretching the Cord", thereby fixing the plan of the building.
2. Purifying the area to be built upon by sprinkling gypsum.
3. Digging the first foundation trench
4. Filling the foundation trench with sand
5. Moulding the first brick or bricks
6. Burying the foundation deposits
7. Initiation of the building work

Completion of Construction

8. Purification of the completed temple
9. Presenting the temple to the deities to whom it is dedicated
10. Offering of sacrifices

Thank you to TourEgypt for the information. Although i linked to their site during the original post - i feel it necessary to post the above-to show that foundation deposits are now less of a mystery to me- now that the above is known.

At a later date i will discuss who discovered the various foundation deposits around Deir el Bahri, when they discovered them, what was included and where they are now. A lot more information gathering is necessary before i am able to do this.

Regards,
Stuart

Hatshepsut - Foundation Deposits

http://www.britishmuseum.org/collectionimages/AN00418/AN00418471_001_l.jpg

Foundation deposits have been found in abundance at Deir el Bahri. Essentially each one is a little time- capsule, buried in the foundations at key points during the various phases of building.

What they tell us about Deir el Bahri is very important. I cannot say for sure why foundation deposits were deemed necessary, unless looking into the future and the assurance that people would know who was responsible for the commission and building of such a temple.

The example above, from the British Museum is just one of many objects retrieved from Deir el Bahri. It shows a well carved cartouche on a stone, which are aptly called "name stones". The cartouche - Maat Ka Ra is the throne name of Hatshepsut. Unclear, but present on the left hand side of the stone is an inscription which names "Senenmut, Overseer of the Works"

Such information can suggest that the location of this deposit was part of Hatshepsut's own work, under the watchful eye of her most trusted "friend" Senenmut.


From this we can get an idea of when this part of the temple was built (in the lifetimes of both Hatshepsut and Senenmut). Such information would immediately rule out her predecessors and previous Pharaohs when considering who is responsible for the various stages of the development of Hatshepsut's great mortuary temple, "Djeser Djeseru" (Holy of Holy's).

This is only one example of the information we can gain from such artifacts.

Other types of deposits i have seen include: Model tools, scarabs, plaques, baskets and more.

Please visit the following site for more information on foundation deposits and also a reconstruction of a Deir el Bahri foundation deposit:

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/foundation.htm

Regards,
Stuart