Discovery of remains of a bearded female pharaoh at Hatshepsut Temple / The first successful female pharaoh who brought a significant transformation in Egypt's development + photos.

These stone blocks were discovered near the corridor of her magnificent temple in Deir el-Bahari, located in Luxor, Egypt. The multi-colored engravings on these blocks remain vibrant, and their carvings and reliefs are excellently preserved.

Hatshepsut, who ruled from 1479 to 1458 BC, is one of the few female pharaohs in the history of ancient Egypt. She ascended to power after the death of her husband, Thutmose II. Initially, Hatshepsut governed as regent for her stepson, Thutmose III, who was still a child, until he reached adulthood. However, after several years, she declared herself pharaoh of Egypt. She showcased her power through the image she projected of herself, such as wearing a golden "false beard" and ordering that her images be depicted with bare muscles like male pharaohs.

She was an effective ruler who undertook many construction and infrastructure projects, and she showcased her architectural talents with the grand design of her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari. The temple, built at the foot of limestone cliffs in the eastern Valley of the Kings, featured terraced columns, pools, gardens, and more than 100 colossal statues of Hatshepsut, each over 3 meters tall.

After Hatshepsut’s death, Thutmose III, who was in his 20s at the time, took the throne. Two decades later, he decided to erase Hatshepsut's name and monuments from history to eliminate any trace of her reign and close the gap between his rule and that of his father. He ordered that all depictions and images of Hatshepsut be destroyed, and her name erased from inscriptions. The massive statues of her temple were completely destroyed during this time.

The main temple complex, which included the remains of Hatshepsut's father, survived the destruction and is now considered one of the most impressive structures in the Valley of the Kings. However, her valley temple, which was the entrance to the mortuary complex, was completely demolished. Recent archaeological excavations at the site have led to the discovery of its foundations.

Tarek al-Awadi, deputy director of the Egyptian archaeological mission, explained the significant discoveries made by his team. These include the remains of Hatshepsut's valley temple and more than 1,000 stone blocks with reliefs and inscriptions from the time of Hatshepsut and her successor, Thutmose III. Other findings include over 100 limestone and quartzite slabs bearing Hatshepsut's name and a unique slab with the name Senmuth, the famous architect of Hatshepsut's court.

Al-Awadi added that these untouched foundations, which have been unmatched since Herbert L. Winlock’s excavations a century ago, provide valuable insights into the construction of the temple and Hatshepsut's legacy.