New-York tribune., 1906-06-24
H4TSHEPSU.
The Queen Elisabeth of Egypt as
Disclosed by Recent Exploration.

One ~ the greatest works Of archaeological ex-
rlorztion of recent years is that which the hssp'
years engaged upon-the clearing ana partla.
restoration OF the great temple OF Amen aflo
FEarhor at Dier-e Bahari near Theoes III mas
been a most expensive work having cost more
than 10000 but the results have been ooth
from a historical and artistic point OF view, OF
she greatest Importance. The work has from
she commencement been under the direction OF
Professor Edouard Naville. who during the last
three seasons has had the assistance OF that
able EgvptoIogist II. r. Hall. OF the Egyptian
department OF the British Museum. There Were
rw-o temples al Dier-el-Bahari-the older the
funeral temple Of King Mentuhetep III. OF the
twelfth dynasty. about B. c 25Oo; the later the
splendid fame erected by the great Queen Hat
shepsu about B c. 1900. This latter temple is
the one on which so much time and money nave
been expended But the outlay has not been
wasted for we have restored TO us the memo
rails Of the life and deeds OF one OF the most re-
raarkabIe women the Orient has ever produced,
and one who from her resemblance in mental
capacitv and enterprise 10 our own Virgin Queen
NAV be dtly styled the Elizabeth of Egypt
The daughter Of Thothmes by his beautiful
wife Queen Aahmes, she was early associated
with her father and on the walls OF the birth
chamber Of the temple We see the scenes repre-
sertfpg her birth as a divine incarnation OF her
father. Au1en-Rs- All monarchs OF the great
Theban dynasties were supposed 70 be children
of Amen On another wall ts depicted the cere-
1nony Of her coronation as king for she assumed
male attire even false beard, and used all the
knngly titles IN her inscriptions. one very I'M
portant series OF sculptures Is that winch rep
resents the return OF the great naval eGpeol-
rion which she sent 10 the incense producing
land Of Punt, probably Sonaliland which. under
Nashi her admiral, the Raleigh ot the period.
returned laden with rich treasure and strange
animals, birds and plants The new volume OF
xsle exploration which has just been Issued py
she exploration fund. contains some very inter
esting matter, for Il relates 70 the shrine OF
Amen Ra and the 1orecourr, all OF which were
richly decorated with sculptures. The shrine,
which consists OF two rooms, was entered by
lofty, granite doorway. and on either side Of the
door are representations of the nan-queen,
~kr-rys Ha LOW
A specially interesting scene here represents the
Queen being brought before Amen. and the god
Thoth, or HerTnes, acts as priest and introduces
Der with curious address;
-She sslutes thee. She speaks (to thee)- She
cools thee with water, she gives thee incense.
The double is satisfied when she fumigates thee
With the eye OF thy own body. her incense.
Amen lord OF the throes OF the TWO lands, when
4hou reststh IN thy abode. where thy beauties
ere zorshippeG- grant her life strength and
snch Is the threshold prayer The shrine no
doubt contained the two sacred boats OF the
morning and evening boats in which he sailed
across the sky. In the inner and dark shrine
chamber was the splendid shrine Of ebony, in
which the statue OF the GOD was kept A por-
ston OF this shrine was discovered in 1894 by NJ.
Hsavflle, and II IS most interesting 70 mention
1he artist who made Il Indeed. in Egypt un-
IKE other lands except Greece. the names OF
artists OF great works are known and handed
down IA regard 70 this great temple we know
that the architect was man named senmut
who, n addition 10 his artistic abilities. was
minister Of state. chancellor and bearer Of
<he royal seal" He It was who built this and
many other temples for his royal mistress The
work OF decoration given 10 a man named
Tehuti the record Of WHOSE life is found on a
stele discovered by the Marquise OF Northamp-
tcn he was the Benvenuto Cellni Of the age
Ee Il was who made the splendid ebony shrine
OF Arnen-Ra- King Of the Gods" who plated
The doors OF the temple with bronze and cleo
sron" who made crowns. necklaces and Jewels
for The Queen. These facts give a living interest
70 these discoveries, for they are, indeed, the
work OF the Oldest masters Another interesting
series OF sculptures. the works designed, no
doubt by one q those artists. represent the
Queen making offerings TO the shades Of her
father and mother, and the portrait OF the lat
ter Is 2 beautiful piece of work. Particularly
interesting as showing this school OF realism in
Egypt is a series Of sculptures, slabs. represent
ing the gardens Of the temple. Here We see
ponds lined with shady trees, bordered with
lotus plants. and full Of FISH. Here
duck rising with FISH in his mouth. resting
on one leg and scratching his poll with the
other 4 fish nihbles al lotus tree which
touches the water flock II famingoes fly
frightened away from reed brake. Such IS
The n which this remarkable queen was the
parroness and Tehui and Senmut her artist
craftsmen. which has been rescued from de-
struction hv the Egypt Exploration Fund
-rsf7r Ia