Hatshepsut
Background Information and Site of Discovery |
Hatshepsut married her half brother, Thutmose II, however they were unable to
produce an heir. Her stepson, Thutmose III was born of another wife of Thutmose II. In 1479 BC, when he became Pharaoh, Hatshepsut became regent. Hatshepsut was then pronounced King until her death in 1458BC. Hatshepsut built the temples and tombs of Deir el-Bahri. In 1903, Howard Carter unknowingly discovered Hatshepsut's tomb and subsequently her mummy in the Valley of the Kings in tomb KV60. It wasn't until 2007 that the mummy was identified to be Hatshepsut. |
Theories, Scientific Dating Techniques and Forensics
In 1966, Egyptologist Elizabeth Thomas speculated that the mummy discovered by Carter was
Hatshepsut's, due to the positioning of the right arm over her chest, suggesting royalty. She
theorised that the mummy may have been hidden in the tomb for safekeeping from
Thutmose II.
Following X-rays; CT Scans of a wooden box inscribed with Hatshepsut's name, discovered in
1881, detected mummified remains and a broken molar.Upon conducting DNA and Forensic Testing, the molar was matched with a tooth socket in the mummy's jaw, thus confirming the mummy to be Hatshepsut. |
CT Scanning revealed Hatshepsut died of bone cancer, which had spread to her pelvic area and spine and also suffered from
diabetes and arthritis. Visual examination concluded that the Queen was obese with poor teeth. For many years, it was believed
that Thutmose III might have had her killed in order to assume the throne and eliminate all evidence of her reign, which has
since been ruled out due to no evidence suggesting murder.
diabetes and arthritis. Visual examination concluded that the Queen was obese with poor teeth. For many years, it was believed
that Thutmose III might have had her killed in order to assume the throne and eliminate all evidence of her reign, which has
since been ruled out due to no evidence suggesting murder.
In 2011 Michael Höveler-Müller and Helmut Wiedenfeld of the University of Bonn, theorised that Hatshepsut,
whose family suffered from skin irritation, unknowingly poisoned herself with carcinogenic (cancer causing)
skin lotion.
Facial Reconstruction and Artistic Representations
Winifred Brunton, an English Artist, is best know for her portraits of Egyptian Pharaohs published as Kings and Queens of Ancient Egypt in 1926 and Great Ones of Egypt in 1929. Married to an Egyptologist and having travelled, with Flinders Petrie - The archaeologist who trained Howard Carter in excavation techniques - Winifred compiled various artistic interpretations of both Pharaohs and artefacts. |