Current research

Research conducted over the years on the grounds of the Temple of Hatshepsut allows us to outline clear research directions implemented as part of the Polish-Egyptian Archaeological and Conservation Mission in the Temple of Hatshepsut in Deir el-Bahari.
The current goal of the mission is to document and reconstruct individual parts of the temple throughout its entire area, from the processional alley to the Upper Terrace. The largest and most important project is the study of the Royal Cult Complex, the best preserved structure of this type in Egypt, thanks to which it will be possible to reconstruct this part of the building in the future and make it available to visitors. Architectural research and conservation work are also underway here.
Research on the reconstruction of the history of the building is also important, including at the time when it ceased to serve as a religious building, becoming a cemetery, and then when a Coptic monastery was built in this place. The largest archaeological project currently underway, “Deir el-Bahari in the Third Intermediate Period,” is documenting artifacts from the Deir el-Bahari area from this period that are currently in museums around the world, as well as studying the material found during excavations conducted on the temple grounds.
All research conducted intensively on the entire temple grounds will culminate in publications.
The Temple of Hatshepsut is constantly monitored for structural stability and the state of preservation of the building. Conservation work on the temple grounds is therefore being carried out in all those places that require intervention due to their poor state of preservation.

dr Zbigniew Szafrański
Mission Manager