Mentuhotep II Mortuary Complex at Deir el-Bahri (c. 2055–2004 BCE)

1. Mentuhotep II reunifies Egypt, launching Middle Kingdom

   Jan 1, 2055 BCELabels: Mentuhotep II, Thebes

   • UCL Digital Egypt
   • ISAC UChicago

2. Royal mortuary complex planned at Deir el-Bahri

   Jan 1, 2050 BCELabels: Deir el-Bahri, Mortuary Temple

   • UCL Digital Egypt
   • ISAC UChicago

3. Causeway and forecourt connect temple to Nile plain

   Jan 1, 2048 BCELabels: Causeway, Forecourt

   • Mentuhotep II overview

4. Terraced design established at the cliff base

   Jan 1, 2045 BCELabels: Terraced Temple, Cliff Base

   • ISAC UChicago
   • Deir el Bahari

5. Central core built; superstructure remains debated

   Jan 1, 2043 BCELabels: Central Core, Pyramid Hypothesis

   • Tour Egypt
   • Mentuhotep II overview

6. Rear sanctuary spaces cut into cliff for cult

   Jan 1, 2042 BCELabels: Cliff Sanctuaries, Rear Sanctuary

   • Mentuhotep II overview

7. Temple supports early Theban state-god worship

   Jan 1, 2040 BCELabels: Amun-Ra, Theban Religion

   • Mentuhotep II overview

8. Osirian royal imagery gains prominence at the temple

   Jan 1, 2038 BCELabels: Osiris Imagery, Temple Decoration

   • Mentuhotep II overview

9. King buried at Deir el-Bahri; cult continues afterward

   Jan 1, 2004 BCELabels: Royal Burial, Mortuary Cult

   • UCL Digital Egypt

10. Hatshepsut’s temple later echoes Mentuhotep’s layout

    Jan 1, 1479 BCELabels: Hatshepsut Temple, Architectural Echo

    • ISAC UChicago
    • Mentuhotep II overview

11. Naville begins modern excavation of Mentuhotep’s temple

    Nov 5, 1903Labels: Edouard Naville, Egypt Exploration

    • EEF Report
    • Nature 1908

12. Naville’s excavation seasons clarify the complex’s extent

    Jan 1, 1907Labels: Naville Seasons, Site Mapping

    • Nature 1908
    • Nature 1906

13. Metropolitan Museum work begins long-term study at Deir el-Bahri

    Jan 1, 1911Labels: Metropolitan Museum, Egyptian Expedition

    • Winlock 1942
    • Met Essay

14. Winlock publishes major synthesis of 1911–1931 excavations

    Jan 1, 1942Labels: Herbert Winlock, Excavation Synthesis

    • Winlock 1942

15. Thebes necropolis, including Deir el-Bahri, gains UNESCO status

    Jan 1, 1979Labels: UNESCO, Thebes Necropolis

    • UNESCO WHC
    • Deir el Bahari