Image Details

Robert Partridge, the Ancient Egypt Picture Library

Hatshepsut was a prolific builder of monuments, temples and shrines. Many Egyptian kings left impressive architectural legacies, and Hatshepsut’s building program represents a conscious effort to emulate past kings and legitimize her own rule. In regnal year 16, Hatshepsut had twin monumental obelisks made of granite set up at the Temple of Amun at Karnak; one of the obelisks still stands today (shown here, compare with photo of brown quartzite relief), located between the temple’s fourth and fifth pylons.