Hatshepsut ruled Egypt for 20 years, her stepson erased her name. Queen Hatshepsut declared herself Pharaoh (not queen) and ruled Egypt for 20 years around 1500 BC She sent trading fleets to Punt, returning with incense, trees, and gold Her architect Senmut (some say her lover) designed her mortuary temple
Queen Hatshepsut boldly declared herself Pharaoh around 1500 BC and ruled for 20 years. Her architect Senmut designed her stunning mortuary temple carved into three limestone cliff terraces at Deir el-Bahri. She sent trading fleets to Punt returning with incense, trees, and gold. After her death, her stepson Thutmose III spent two decades chiseling her name off walls in an attempt to erase her from history 😮
Key Facts
- Queen Hatshepsut declared herself Pharaoh (not queen) and ruled Egypt for 20 years around 1500 BC
- She sent trading fleets to Punt, returning with incense, trees, and gold
- Her architect Senmut (some say her lover) designed her mortuary temple
- The temple once featured myrrh gardens and hundreds of statues with the ceremonial beard of kingship
- Upon her death, her stepson Thutmose III spent 20 years attempting to erase her from history by chiseling her name off walls
- The temple was carved into three soaring terraces of limestone cliffs at Deir el-Bahri
- Despite systematic destruction attempts, much of her temple complex remains visible today
Related site: Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Exploring Egypt’s Most Looted Ancient Tombs (Valley of the Kings) by Wandering Wolf