Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (18.2006(2008))

DEIR EL-BAHARI

EGYPT

THIRD INTERMEDIATE PERIOD
OPENWORK FIGURES FROM THE CHAPEL
OF HATSHEPSUT IN DEIR EL-BAHARI

Anastazja Stupko

An analysis of archaeological material
discovered during recent excavations in the
Chapel of Hatshepsut (Szafrahski 2005:
229-23; 2007a: 246) distinguished a set of
wooden openwork figures with painted
convex fronts and flat backs. Further study
of these figures allowed them to be
classified into a number of groups.
The most numerous of these groups was
that consisting of figures representing


Fig. 1. Pieces of wooden openwork figures before
reassembly (Photo M. Jawomicki)

goddesses with emblems on their heads.
All the pieces were found in very
fragmentary condition. The emblem was
all that was left of some figures, while
others could be put together practically
whole. The fragments were scattered in the
debris filling the tomb shaft located in the
western part of the Chapel of Hatshepsut
(S.7A/82; S.7B/82; S.7C/82, cf. Szafrahski
2007a: Fig. 5). Nevertheless, since most of
them were found in shaft S.7A/82, it is
likely that this funerary equipment was
originally deposited there. Following
a thorough examination, the collected
fragments were divided into two groups by
size.

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Fig. 2. Unpainted bottom of the Neith figure
with traces of green paint (marked with
an arrow) (Photo A. Stupko)

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