Geology
The investigation of the Temple and rocks present under various parts of the Temple gives information concerning the means of preparation of the area for the Temple construction. But for a better understanding it is first necessary to imagine the morphological situation of this place before the Temple construction.
Geologically and stratigraphically a great part of the sediments considered represent Eocene. They are represented by clayey, kaolinitic Esna shales present at the lower part of the profile while the upper part is represented by Theban limestones. Esna shales are gradually passing into overlaying limestone.
This phenomenon is seen as a series of limestone layers in shists intercalating deposits of Esna shists. The Eocene sediments mentioned above are covered in some places by Pliocene conglomerates and younger slope cones composed of Theban limestone fragments which fall down from cliffs. Therefore, the primary morphology of the area before the Temple construction began may be reconstructed.
The Temple of Hatshepsut was built at the contact of two mechanically different types of rocks i.e. lower – soft Esna shist and upper – mixed Esna shist and hard layers of limestone present above the top part of Esna shist. This means that the geotechnical conditions of the lower part of the Temple construction (on Esna shists) and the upper part of the Temple (on shists and limestone) were technically different.
Field examination of profiles and determination of rock present under various parts of the Temple showed that work preparing the area for object construction was focused on removing rock material from the gebel and the deposition of this material mostly under the medium terrace.
Upper shelf
The Upper primary shelf, made by the construction of objects above the Temple is represented by a natural limestone layer (limestone a) present just at highest part of the profile of Estan shale just under the bottom of Theban limestones. Esna shales present between this layer and the bottom of Theban limestones were originaly removed during the preparation of the area for temple construction. The layer of limestone (layer a) was left tendetionally for the preservation of the Temple against stone blocks falling down from the highest part of hills built of Theban limestones.
Photo. 1a Rest of slope cone deposited on eroded surface of Esna shales present 30 m to SW from the sanctuary of Hathor. Photo. 1b Undulated natural surface of limestone constituting the base for the foundation of the Hatshepsut Chapel. Blocks of founding are seen with a specially prepared bottom surface (arrows). West corner of the chapel.
This natural limestone layer (a) was used for better stabilization of the cliff during the restoration works of the Temple. The stabilization was done by the binding of the mentioned limestone layer (a) with a specially constructed stone wall above the upper terrace of the Temple. Because of this work newly constructed artificial shelf composed of a natural limestone layer and a cement-stone shelf made the architectural construction above the upper terrace stable and well preserved against destruction.
Upper Terrace
The work concerning the preparation of the surface for the construction of the upper terrace are easily seen the in chapels located there. For example, the sequence of layers present under the Chapel of Hatshepsut confirms that this part of the Temple was constructed on relatively thick and strong layer of limestone present at the upper part of the Esna shists (Fig. 1B, layer c). The primary morphology of this limestone is slightly undulated and partially destroyed by human activity (photo. 1b). Observations confirmed the presence of a thin, 2-4 cm thick, layer of powder-like sediment just between the foundation and the natural surface of the limestone. This sediment contains small fragments of dynastic pottery, grains of charcoal, small fragments of wood and small fragments of blue faience (photo. 2A). The presence of these artifacts in the layer between funding and limestone confirms that before the construction of architectonic objects on the Upper Terrace, Esna shists overlaying the layer of limestone (layer c – fig. 1B, C, D) were occupied, quarried. Later, part of this limestone was removed. After this work the top surface of the limestone layer was prepared for the construction of this part of the Temple.
The method of construction of the Chapel of Hatshepsut wall foundations is exciting. The first, lowest layer of the foundation blocks shows a very special shape. The upper surface of the blocks is flat while their bottom face repeats the morphology of the natural top surface of limestone layer. This means that the top surface of the limestone layer was not specially prepared for the construction of the foundation while the bottom of the first blocks of walls was specially adapted. This way of work led to a very good fixing of the stone walls of the temple to the natural limestone base.
Photo. 2a Thin anthropogenic layer containing small fragments of pottery, grains of dactyl etc. present between the top of limestone c and the base of the fundation of Chapel of Hatshepsut. Photo. 2b The locations of limestone blocks present under columns of the upper terrace on the specially prepared steps cut into the Esna shists.
On the medium terrace of the temple one can see gray area of Esna shale that were removed during preparation for theconstruction of the temple. Artificially constructed part of the terrace was composed of block removed from the upper terrace and covered with limestone plates as shown lower.
Medium Terrace
The medium terrace was only partially located on Esna shale. The chapels and columns of this terrace were located on a specially prepared surface. Moreover, observations confirm that the greatest part of the medium terrace was built on stone material removed from the area prepared for the construction of the upper as well as the medium terrace.
Photo 4a The hole at the base of the wall of the medium terrace. Photo 4b Blocks of limestones seen in the hole shown above. Blocks constitute fragments of the cliff removed from in situ during preparation of the place for the construction of the upper terrace sculptures of Pharaoh at the upper terrace which is very special. The top part of Esna shale present stratigraphically under limestone c is well prepared for those constructions. One can see the preparatory work as steps cut in shale. Blocks of the foundation are precisely located at fixed places on these steps.
Lower Terrace
The lower terrace is constructed mostly on natural young sediments filling up Deir el-Bahari. They are represented by stream deposits composed mainly of fragments of limestone and sands. All sediments overlay thick layer of limestone present under Esna shole. This lowest limestone is the place for the location of the next generation of tombs present for example near the Metropolitan House. But it is possible that under lower terrace of the Temple of Hatshepsut large tombs are present that have not been discovered up to now tombs.
Source: wikipedia.org, http://journals.bg.agh.edu.pl/, Pawlicki F., Skarby architektury staroŜytnego Egiptu. Królewskie świątynie w Deir el-Bahari, Warszawa 2000, s. 60-173, Pawlikowski M., Geology and geomorphology of investigated Area. In Ginter B., Kozlowski J.K., astic settlement near Armant. Studien zur Archaeolgie und Geschichte Altaegyptens. 1994, band 6, p. 3-6.
To complete this cache have a photograph taken of yourself with the Hatshepsut's temple (optional task). Upload this with your log and then email me the answers to the following questions:
1. Why was left the layer of limestone at highest part of the profile of Estan shale?
2. What confirms that upper terrace was constructed on relatively thick and strong layer of limestone?
3. On what surface was placed medium terrace?
4. What is the geological phenomen of this place?
5. Estimate the height of the temple of Queen Hatshepsut.
6. How many of these figures can be seen at the temple of Queen Hatshepsut?
I look forward to your replies. :-)
