The graceful and elegant mortuary temple of Hatshepsut sits at the bottom of a hill near the Valley of the Kings. The graceful columns and clean lines are somewhat unique in their proportions. The inscriptions are also unique; rather than the history of conquest seen in the nearby Medinet Habu temple of Ramses III, Hatshepsut's temple highlights her diplomatic and commercial goals. On the lower level is a depiction of the quarrying and transport of two large obelisks to Karnak. To the other side, a lengthy set of panels showing the expedition to the land of Punt and the wonders that returned from that journey. On the highest level, there are the remains of several small temples. Today, tourists approach Deir el-Bahri from the access road along a long, dirt path directly aligned with the steps. The balance and beauty of the structure is evident from afar, but the size of the temple becomes clear only when you approach it on foot.
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