Project: Sanctuary of the Hathor Shrine at the Temple of Hatshepsut in Deir el-Bahari. Technological investigation of polychromy

Sanctuary of the Hathor Shrine at the Temple of Hatshepsut in Deir el-Bahari. Technological investigation of polychromy

Keywords: Ancient Egypt, Temple of Hatshepsut, Hathor Shrine, Theban necropolis, Eighteenth dynasty, Conservation project, Wall Paintings, Painting techniques, Egyptian polychromy

The subject of the project are wall paintings decorating the interior of the sanctuary of the Hathor Shrine in the Temple of Hatshepsut in Deir el-Bahari, located in the heart of the Theban necropolis, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The Temple of Hatshepsut, serving as the Temple of a Million Years, is a unique architectural complex built in the 15th century BC. The Hathor Shrine, erected on the south side of the middle terrace, is one of the best-preserved parts of the building. The interior of the chapel is decorated with relief decorations, on which the painting layer has still been preserved. The latter, however, was clearly damaged by fire.
The aim of the project is to conduct research related to the technology of creating relief and painting decorations in the times of the eighteenth dynasty with Hathor Shrine as a case study. It includes instrumental and microscopic analyses, in situ observations, and identification of the technique and technology of the painting layer’s execution. The project also plans to develop a conservation program in order to carry out the necessary conservation works within the polychrome and to prepare comprehensive conservation documentation.
The conservation project is conducted within the research programme of the Polish-Egyptian Archaeological and Conservation Expedition to the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari in cooperation with the Faculty of Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art of the Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw.

(fot. Maciej Jawornicki/PCMA UW)

Links

More about Deir el-Bahari, Temple of Hatshepsut research
Polish-Egyptian Expedition to the Temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari on Facebook
Faculty of Conservation and Restoration of Works of Art, Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw on Facebook