The upcoming PCMA seminar will feature Paulina Staszkiewicz (PCMA UW) with a presentation: “Sanctuary of the Hathor Shrine in the Hatshepsut Temple at Deir el-Bahari. Preliminary research of the polychrome relief decoration”.
Abstract: This lecture presents preliminary research on the polychrome reliefs in the Hathor Shrine at the Temple of Hatshepsut in Deir el-Bahari. Built in the 15th century BCE, the Temple of Hatshepsut, known as the Temple of a Million Years, is a unique architectural complex. The Hathor Shrine, situated on the south side of the middle terrace, is among the best-preserved parts of the temple, consisting of two Hypostyle Halls, the Vestibule, the Bark Hall, and the Sanctuary. The shrine, partially carved from rock, survived an ancient earthquake. Its polychrome reliefs bear witness to various phases of destruction from Thutmose III’s reign and the Amarna period, as well as subsequent Ramesside restorations. Thutmose III’s destruction targeted images and titles of Hatshepsut, while Amarna period damage focused on divine figures, with Ramesside restorations filling defects with mortar and recreating the polychrome.
The project focusing on Sanctuary of the Hathor Shrine aims to conserve, but also to analyze materials and technology of painting layers. This includes analytical research, in-situ microscopic, UV light examinations and identification of the technique and technology of the painting layer’s execution. The conservation project is conducted within the research programme of the Polish-Egyptian Archaeological and Conservation Expedition in cooperation with the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw.
The seminar will be held on Thursday, 8th May at 2 pm (Warsaw time) on the Zoom platform.
To receive the link, please email: seminarium.pcma@uw.edu.pl
The temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari is considered one of the most important monuments of ancient Egyptian architecture. Since 1961, the temple has been the subject of research and work by a Polish-Egyptian expedition from the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw, whose task is to study the history of this sacred space, its reconstruction and conservation.
As part of this lecture series at the PCMA UW Seminars, members of the Polish-Egyptian expedition will present the results of the latest fieldwork and studies, focusing on archaeological excavations, epigraphic research, as well as restoration and conservation treatments.
The organizer of the series is Dr. Patryk Chudzik from the Department of Egyptian Archaeology PCMA UW. The lectures in this series cover topics related to the latest research conducted by the Polish-Egyptian Archaeological and Conservation Expedition to the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari.