Deir el-Bahari, also known as Dayr al-Bahri, is a complex of mortuary temples and tombs located on the west bank of the Nile, opposite the modern city of Luxor, Egypt. This site has significant historical and cultural importance and is the location of three major ancient Egyptian mortuary temples, including that of Queen-Pharaoh Hatshepsut.
1. History of Deir el-Bahari
Deir el-Bahari has a long history of use as a place of worship and burial. The name “Deir el-Bahari” means “The Monastery of the North” in Arabic, a reference to a Coptic monastery that once existed on the site. However, long before that, the area was already a sacred site for the ancient Egyptians.
The first major temple built at Deir el-Bahari was that of Mentuhotep II, pharaoh of the 11th dynasty who reunified Egypt at the end of the First Intermediate Period (c. 2055 BC). Later, in the early New Kingdom (c. 1550-1070 BC), Queen-Pharaoh Hatshepsut built her mortuary temple here, followed by Thutmose III.
2. The temples of Deir el-Bahari
- The temple of Mentuhotep II: It is the earliest known temple in Deir el-Bahari and is notable for its unique architectural design. Instead of being built on a single longitudinal axis like most Egyptian temples, the Temple of Mentuhotep II is oriented on two axes. The temple itself was integrated into the cliff and included a set of terraces, colonnades and chapels.
- The temple ofHatshepsut: Also known as Djeser-Djeseru, or “the Holy of Holies”, this temple is the most famous in Deir el-Bahari. It was designed by the royal architect Senenmut and is famous for its perfectly aligned colonnades and terraces and for the way it blends harmoniously into the natural landscape. The temple reliefs tell the story of Hatshepsut's divine birth and her trading expedition to the land of Punt.
- The temple of Thutmose III: This temple is located north of the temple of Hatshepsut. Although now largely in ruins, it was once an important monument, with a series of pylons, courtyards and chapels.
3. Archaeological finds and excavations at Deir el-Bahari:
Deir el-Bahari has been the subject of numerous excavations and archaeological explorations since its rediscovery in the 19th century. The Temple of Hatshepsut was excavated and restored by a team led by Polish Egyptologist Kazimierz Michałowski in the 1960s.
One of the most significant finds at Deir el-Bahari was the “Royal Hideout” of Deir el-Bahari, a repository containing the mummies of several New Kingdom pharaohs, including Ramesses II and Thutmose III, which have been recovered. buried here by priests during the Third Intermediate Period to protect them from tomb raiders.
4. Deir el-Bahari today
Today, Deir el-Bahari is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major tourist destination in Egypt. Thousands of visitors come to the site every year to admire the temples and learn the history of ancient Egypt. The Temple of Hatshepsut, in particular, is one of the best preserved and most impressive structures of ancient Egypt.
5. Cultural and historical significance of Deir el-Bahari
Deir el-Bahari has immense cultural and historical significance. The temples at this site represent key moments in Egyptian history, particularly during the Middle Kingdom and New Kingdom, when Egypt was at its height. The Temple of Hatshepsut, in particular, is a significant representation of the ability of women to rule in Egypt.
In addition, archaeological finds at Deir el-Bahari have provided scholars with valuable insights into the religion, culture, and history of ancient Egypt. The site continues to be a subject of research, with archaeologists from all over the world coming to study its monuments and decipher its secrets.