Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut

Intriguing temple with references to the Land of Punt

The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut in Egypt is very popular. Hatshepsut was one of the few female pharaohs in Egypt. Her temple contains many hieroglyphs referencing the Land of Punt, an ancient Egyptian kingdom cloaked in mystery.

This impressive temple is also known as Djeser-Djeseru, and located at Deir el-Bahari. Several tombs have been found at this spot. Hatshepsut was one of the very few female pharaohs in ancient Egypt, and she was a member of the 18th dynasty.


The Land of Punt

A drawing of Anubis at the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut. ©Corno van den Berg

This temple has a remarkable number of hieroglyphs referencing the Land of Punt. You can see on several spots. 

It’s still a mystery where this land is actually located. The site is also home to the temple of Thutmose III. The Land of Punt is one of the ancient Egyptians’ mysteries, this land (or area?) is mentioned several times in travel histories and religious texts from ancient Egypt, including in the temple of Hatshepsut. 

The glyphs referencing the Land of Punt are located the south-west corner of the first portal of her temple. Can you figure out where this mystery land is? You can also ask one of the guards here, who will know more information. Do note that a small tip is expected for this service.

De Tempel van Hatsjepsoet met daarachter het imposante gebergte. ©Corno van den Berg

The Temple of Hatshepsut is actually part of the famous Valley of the Queens. Only this one is on the other side of the mountain. And he is often visited. The Temple of the Dead of Thutmoses III can also be seen in Deir el-Bahri.

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