Hatshepsut The voyage to the Land of Punt was one of the most important, and yet mysterious achievements of Hatshepsut. It is believed to have started during her 7th regal year, immediately after her coronation, and lasted until the 8th. Herodotus’ later writings believed this only lasted two months.
A Scene from Hatshepsut's Temple Related to the Punt Expedition
Punt was a legendary land, previously known as the "Land of the God", as mentioned in the "Book of the Dead".
"The Lands of the Gods see thee, they could write [concerning thee]; the Deserts of Punt could count thee."
It is untrue, as Hatshepsut claimed, that her voyage was the first in history. It has been an ancient tradition to undertake that trip since the 4th dynasty, when a son of "Khufu" (Cheops) did it. Other voyages were mentioned during the reign of "Sahu-Ra" in the early 5th dynasty, when Egyptians began trading with the Land of Punt. Another expedition has been mentioned during the reign of "Pepi II" (6th dynasty). The caravan leader, "Harkhuf" has written to the 9-year old king describing a dancing dwarf he was bringing back to Egypt.
During the reigns of "Mentu-Hotep II" and "Mentu-Hotep III" (11th dynasty), as well as "Sesostris I" and "Amenemhat II" (12th dynasty), successful expeditions were dispatched to the Land of Punt. "Sesostris III" (12th dynasty) had dug a canal joining the Nile and the Red Sea (Suez Gulf), for ships to sail directly to Punt.
A story narrated during the reign of "Amenemhat II" by a ship captain who had been to a magic island in the sea far south beyond Nubia. The sailor told the vizier (prime minister) about a tempest which arose suddenly and drove the ship towards a mysterious land. He suddenly heard a noise like thunder, and saw a huge serpent with a beard. Upon hearing that the sailor was sent by the pharaoh, the serpent let him go back, with gifts to "Amenemhat". It told him that it was Amon-Ra’s blessing that has made this island rich and lacking nothing. Upon hearing this amusing story, "Amenemhat II" ordered it to be documented on a papyrus. The story is known to historians as "The Shipwrecked Sailor".
After the death of Hatshepsut, trade continued with Punt during the 18th dynasty by "Thotmos III", "Amon-Hotep III", and "Horemheb". Puntite officials were even depicted in wall reliefs of the temple of "Ramses II" at Abydos. The last king known to record a trading expedition to Punt was "Ramses III" during the early 20th dynasty.
The actual location of the Land of Punt is still mysterious. As the trip was assumed to have been heading through the Nile then southward through the Red sea, most historians believe it lies at the western African coast near what is today Somalia or Ethiopia. Such assumption is based upon the African features of the queen of Punt (at el-Deir el-Bahary temple) and the ornaments around her legs. The location was described as a sand coast with heights covered by ebony and incense trees. Upon its return, the expedition has bought back ivory, silver and gold too. Giraffes, which are purely African animals, and monkeys were shown to live there.
Another assumption was that the voyage was across the Nile, not the sea. This was evidenced by the presence of 5 types of river-fish. The Punt harbour would then be located around a small river, which is assumed to be the Gloin river (or Elephant river) in Somalia. Other extremists have assumed that Punt lies at the Arabian Peninsula or Sinai. The "Narmer" Stele (1st dynasty) showing the king fighting his enemies while bare-footed with a boy carrying his sandals, denoted a sacred land that he stood upon.
It is to be noted that the artist has not inscribed the usual hieroglyphic sign for foreign lands above the name Punt. This might point towards the fact that Punt was considered as part of Egyptian lands.
Hatshepsut’s voyage to Punt was depicted on her temple of el-Deir el-Bahary. Reliefs show the departure of the expedition, its arrival at the mysterious land, the lading of the ships with the gifts by the Puntine leader to Hatshepsut, and the preparations for the return voyage.
The story illustrates that it was planned according to direct orders of the god Amon, in order to bring back trees and incense necessary for divine rituals. Though the campaign was a peaceful trading expedition for enhancing diplomatic relations and commerce, it included a small military corps. It was formed of five ships, each measuring 70 feet long, and with several sails. These accommodated 210 men, including sailors and 30 rowers, and was led by the Nubian general "Nehsi". A huge red granite statue covered by precious stones and representing Amon and the queen in front of him, was erected on the coastline
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