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The Red Chapel of Hatshepsut - here is the full and fascinating story about the reconstruction of this gem of a building. If you really want to go into all the various blocks, then go here. In short, while it took many years to reconstruct the White Chapel, by the time work on the Red Chapel started, there was the help of computers to determine which order the stone blocks should go in. The result is a wonderful building, originally a bark shrine but the drawback is that many blocks are now located so high up on the walls that visitors can´t see them properly. Next time I go there, I´ll make sure to bring my binoculars.
 The Red Chapel, Bark Shrine of Hatshepsut.
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 Hatshepsut 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 also 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 and a symbol of fertility. 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 (Gr: Thoth) pouring purfying water over the King. The goddess Seshat records the events and assists Pharaoh in the rituals. A frieze of Sepat (Gr: Nome) 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 Hathsepsut.
Lower register: Male dancers(?) pay homage and women play sistra for Maat-Ka-Re.
The Red Chapel from behind.
The bottom frieze 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.
More of the travel journal.
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