Research grant to study Portico of Obelisks

National Science Centre of Poland has awarded the project “The Western Wall of the Portico of Obelisks of Hatshepsut’s Temple in Deir el-Bahari in historical, ideological and ritual dimensions” by Ewa Józefowicz with a grant PRELUDIUM. The scientific aim of the project is the theoretical reconstruction of the original appearance of the western wall of the Portico of Obelisks (South Lower Portico) and the interpretation of the meaning of its decoration. The unique scenes of the transport and setting of two obelisks in Karnak and the foundation ritual for the Djeser-djeseru temple can be interpreted in three dimensions: historical (events, works, persons engaged, identification of obelisks), ideological (legitimization of Hatshepsut’s power by the foundation of and additions to temples, reasons for erecting the obelisks, their solar, Osiris and regenerative character, meaning of the scenes’ location within the decoration programme of the temple) and ritual (celebrations at the setting of obelisks and during temple foundation). Comprehensive studies of the western wall of the Portico of Obelisks are crucial to understand the role of the portico in the decoration programme of Hatshepsut’s temple, its ideological meaning and the historical events and rituals shown. The project will provide new data in all these dimensions.