New Research Challenges Vengeance Theory Behind Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh's Erasure
Recent scholarship offers a revised interpretation of the posthumous damage to monuments of Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt's prominent female pharaoh. Jun Yi Wong, a University of Toronto Egyptology doctoral candidate, published findings in the journal Antiquity in June, analyzing excavation records from Deir el-Bahri. His research suggests that while Thutmose III removed Hatshepsut's name and images from temple walls, likely for ritual purposes, much subsequent destruction of her statues resulted from their reuse as construction material rather than deliberate malice. This challenges long-held assumptions that the erasure was an act of personal revenge by her successor. The study provides a more nuanced understanding of political and ritual practices in ancient Egyptian succession.
Key facts
- Hatshepsut was a powerful female pharaoh who ruled Egypt from approximately 1505 to 1458 BCE.
- After her death, her monuments at Deir el-Bahri showed systematic removal of her name and damage to her statues.
- Traditional theories attributed this destruction to vengeful actions by her successor, Thutmose III.
- Jun Yi Wong's research, published in Antiquity in June, proposes ritual motivations and practical reuse of materials as primary causes.
- The study reassesses early 20th-century excavation records to differentiate between deliberate ritual acts and incidental damage.
Entities
Institutions
- University of Toronto
- University of Chicago
- Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology, University of Warsaw
Locations
- Deir el-Bahri
- Egypt
- Luxor