It was build of red quartzite, with doors and lintels of black diorite. The effect is stunning. As the natural red quartzite varies in color, the chapel was painted red to appear uniform. It was probably begun ca four years before Hathsepsut died, and her successor Thutmose III never completed it. Originally it might have been seated between her two obelisks by the 4th and 5th pylons but that is not for sure.

There are two chambers inside and in the foremost of these is a basin of sorts, which functioned as a foundation for the bark. The inner chamber shows two low, recatangular slabs of stone, probably alos used as foundations for statues or barks.

The entrance of the Red Chapel. Just inside: the foundation for the bark.


From inside.Look at the effect from the red and the black stone together!


Bottom frieze inside: djedpillars, was-sceptres and ankhs.
The frieze of leafs below them is probably lettuce leafs - sacred to Amun-Min.

The barkshrine is dedicated to Amun and his fertility aspect Amun-Min. Both Hatshepsut and Thutmose III are depicted making offerings and performing rituals to Amun. We see the King running in the Heb Sed, there are processions for the Opet with the Bark of Amun carried on the backs of priest, and we see Djehuty pouring purfying water over the King. Seshat records the events and assists Pharaoh in the rituals. A frieze of Sepat deities carry forward offerings around the outer base of the shrine. On the northern side, dancers and acrobats are performing, harpists are playing, sistra are rattled and food is carried forward.

Left: Hatshepsut depicted as man, making the Heb Sed run before Amun-Min.
Right: The Bark of Amun on its stand, surrounded by offerings..


Hatshepsut conducts the Bark of Amun across the river to attend rituals on the West Bank.


Seshat, patron deity of records, assists Pharaoh Hatshepsut as she lays down the foundations to a new temple.


Upper register: Female acrobats perform and harpists play for Maat-Ka-Re.
Lower register: Male dancers(?) pay homage and women play sistra for Maat-Ka-Re.



The Red Chapel from behind.


The bottom friezze on the south side: rows of Sepat (Nome) deities carrying offerings.
Originally these were filled in with gold paint
.Below is a serekh frieze going all the way down to the ground.

But this isn´t all of Karnak. Leaving the Open Air Museum, you can either go back into the First Courtyard, or you can take a short walk along the wall in order to sneak into the g'reat Hypostyle Hall from behind. This time we chose to go back into the courtyard, there were some mysterious blocks by the Second pylon, and as ancient stone is a favourite subject, we set to inspect these.

Turning back from the OAM, the outside of the Great Hypostyl Hall looks like this.



Towards the First Court and the other parts of Ipet Isut