The Southern Room of Amun in the Temple of Hatshepsut. Volume 1: History and epigraphy

The publication is the first volume of the studies devoted to the Southern Room of Amun in the temple of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari. An overview of research conducted in the Southern Room of Amun and its surroundings is given in the first chapters. A detailed description of the decoration constitutes the main part of the book. The presentation of each wall is constructed according to the following order: state of preservation, polychromy, description of the figures, texts (transcription, transliteration, and translation) given in the altered versions with comments often including the reconstruction of the original layout of the inscriptions from the reign of Hatshepsut. Such an approach was particularly useful in illustrating the changes performed during the reign of Thutmose III and Amarna period as well as the post-Amarna reconstructions. Therefore, the study not only serves to identify the function of the discussed room but also to shed light on Hatshepsut's times and relevant elements of religion exposed during her reign and after (to be published in a second volume). The documentation and epigraphic studies prepared over the years proved the need of including a chapter discussing the erasures and re-carvings in the decoration during the sole reign of Thutmose III and clarifying the knowledge about the chronology of the relief works carried out in this room. In addition, this volume includes an appendix written by Izabela Uchman on multidisciplinary conservation and restoration works undertaken in the studied room.