Tomb of Hatshepsut

This temple is very recognizable as it has appeared in numerous books and movies. It's also way more impressive than looking at the holes in the ground that are the tombs at Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. The tomb is on three levels, each with a long ramp. It's decorated with large statues and the interiors still have much of the original paint. On a clear day you can look down at the Nile Valley.

This site is also known as the only thing Melanie remembers from her last visit to Egypt twenty-one years earlier. She remembers being driven there by a taxi and dropped off right at the entrance where there were no other tourists. Now they have a large parking lot a good distance from the tomb and trolleys to bring the tourists to the base.

In the mountains all around the tomb are holes which were the tombs of the workers and craftsmen who built the tomb. Right by the parking lot are the remains of another tomb for Monthemhat, major of Thebes and Governor of Upper Egypt.

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Our first view of the tomb from the road to the Valley of the Kings.	Approaching the tomb via trolley.	Holes in the surrounding mountains were tombs of the workers.
The impressive structure up against the mountain.	One of the statues on the first level.
Lily poses with a statue of the God Horus.	This tree trunk was brought from Punt by Hatshepsut's expedition which is depicted on the temple walls.	The statues on the third level were much better preserved.
A head of one of the status with some paint still on it.		Lily and I pose in front of an arch in the courtyard on top.
		The far back of the temple on the top floor.
Michelle, Lily and Melanie.	Pieces being sorted before restoration.	Paint on the statues.
Remarkably well preserved paint on the walls and ceilings inside.
Unusual face.	Another one.	Another temple right next to it in far worse shape.
Tomb of Monthemhat closer to the Nile valley.	Carmen takes in the view on the way back to the bus.	Carmen and Michelle.
One last look back before leaving.	Interesting.	Town near the valley.

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