Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (10.1998(1999))

_DEIR EL-BAHARI_

EGYPT

UPPER PORTICO FACADE

The fifth statue of Queen Hatshepsut was
set up in line with the previous four, in
front of the last but one pillar of the north-
ern wing of the Upper Portico. The monu-
mental stone statue, over 5 m high, depict-
ed the temple founder in standing position,
encased in the white shroud of Osiris. The
facade along with the statues decorating it
had been destroyed in an earthquake back
in antiquity. In previous seasons, more than
30 pieces had been selected3-* from the sur-
viving statuary elements to be remounted
in the statue. Practically the whole head

along with a part of the painted surface is
original; so is a large fragment of the dou-
ble crown, shoulders and hands with the
insignia of power restored mostly from
original blocks and pieces of blocks. The
missing parts of the statue were modeled in
floating-coat technique. Mortar used for
the reconstruction was composed of the fol-
lowing mineral components: powdered
limestone, sand and some white cement.
Big pieces were mounted on stainless steel
rods. The coloring and texture of the new
elements were made to look like the origi-


Fig. 1. Upper Portico facade after reconstruction of Osiriac statues of Hatshepsut
(Photo W.Jerke)

3) F. Pawlicki, PAM VI, Reports 1994 (1995), pp. 56-57; PAM VII, Reports 1995 (1996), pp. 73-74; PAM VIII. Reports
1996 (1997), pp. 65-66; PAM IX, Reports 1997 (1998), pp. 53-54.

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