Hatshepsut Temple

Why Hatshepsut Temple near Luxor is special
It is one of Egypt's most striking, touristed, and best-preserved ancient monuments.

Hatshepsut Temple tips an insights
How to pronounce
Hatshepsut - hat-cheep-suit

Setting
The expansive, triple-terraced Hatshepsut Temple sits grandly beneath a barren cliff (see photo). The Hillman Wonder gold medal winner Valley of the Kings lies just over the mountain.

About Hatshepsut
Over the course of Ancient Egypt's long time span, Hatshepsut was one of the four most illustrious queens (the other being Nefertari, Nefertiti, and Cleopatra). She was a powerful and popular pharaoh for two decades, mainly in the 15th Century BC. Peace and prosperity prevailed during most of her reign.

Oblivion
Her place in history was lost for several millennia because of her stepson. When he became pharaoh after she passed away, he extensively vandalized her statues, engraved hieroglyphics, and pictorial accounts.

In a way his actions were justified. She had usurped his right to the throne when he was a young lad.

It wasn't until the late 19th century when archaeologists discovered her historical significance.

Relatively recent tragedy
In 1997, terrorists killed nearly five dozen tourists at the site.

Location in Egypt