Polish archaeologists identified unknown Hatshepsuts temple!

What can you see when you think of Hatshepsut temple? This startling (re)construction?:

Good guess! It's one of the most famous archaeological sites in Egypt, placed close to Luxor - by the way it has been reconstructed by another Polish team of scientists and architects.

This time Polish researchers announced discovery of unknown temple which was founded during Hatshepsut reign (1473-1458 BC). To be frank - its not gonna be tourist attraction for sure. First of all it was cut in the rock in Gebelein, about 30 km south of Thebes. It is not quite touristic area. Secondly, "the temple" consists just of two small chambers with some barely preserved decorations and hieroglyphic inscriptions. Shame, isn't it? Still, it is really interesting discovery for researchers interested in Hatshepsut reign. The place itself was already known to the local authorities, but so far egyptologists did not study its interior and hieroglyphs. Thanks to this expedition now we know that its was founded during Hatshepsuts reign.

Then "new" temple of Hatsheput - "slightly" different from Deir el-Bahari temple in Thebes :-), photo: W. Ejsmond

"This temple was dedicated to two gods. There is no doubt that one of them was Hathor, with the cult name Lady of Gebelein. The other deity could be Amun-Ra. Unfortunately, his depictions are not preserved and further studies are needed to verify this suspicion," explained to PAP Daniel Takács, a member of the expedition.

But how do scientists come up with Hatsheput name? Out of the blue? It wasn't easy because it seems that in antiquity royal names were already destroyed! Thanks to detailed analysis of fragments of preserved hieroglyphic inscriptions scientists came up with final conclusion -  that must be Hatshepsut!

Daniel Takács (R) and Piotr Witkowski (R) at work, photo: W. Ejsmond

The team directed by Wojciech Ejsmond from University of Warsaw was working in Gebelein under the auspices of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology.

More details on discovery: http://scienceinpoland.pap.pl/en/

Polish egyptologist honoured with "Bene Merito" distinction

Dr Zbigniew E. Szafrański received "Bene Merito" honorary distinction from Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It's conferred upon the Polish citizens and foreign nationals in recognition of their merits in promoting Poland abroad.

From left to right: Dr. Tomasz Waliszewski (PCMA Director), Michał Murkociński (Polish Ambassador in Egypt), Katarzyna Szafrańska, dr. Zbigniew E. Szafrański, dr, Artur Obłuski (director of PCMA - Cairo branch) with his wife Joanna. photo: courtesy of Polish Embassy in Cairo/K. Leśniak.

Dr Szafrański leads the Polish-Egyptian Archaeological-Conservation mission at Hathsepsut's temple in Egypt. From 2005 until 2015 he headed the Cairo Research Centre - foreign branch of the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology (PCMA). It's the only Polish research centre in Africa and in the Middle East. Established in 1959 and remain operational without any disturbance ever since. Dr. Szafrański has been working for Polish Center since 1979. He participated in numerous Polish projects in Egypt - among others in Alexandria and Saqqara. During his directorship at Polish Center he organized busy schedule of scientific lectures and seminars.

"His role in strengthening ties with archaeological institutions in Cairo is inestimable and has contributed substantially to promoting Polish archaeology on the international scene", one can read at Cairo's branch PCMA facebook profile.

The ceremony was held in the PCMA residence garden in Cairo on October 19th. Michał Murkociński - the Polish Ambassador handed "Bene Merito" distinction personally.