06/27/2007
Ancient Crossdressing Pharaoh Queen Hatshepsut Identified?
Scientists believe DNA from bones confirm the identity of Queen Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt's most powerful female pharaoh. When she ruled Egypt in the 15th century B.C., Hatshepsut "was known for dressing like a man and wearing a false beard."
This from Wikipedia, so take it for what you will: "Many existing statues show her in both a feminine and masculine form. Statues portraying Sobekneferu also combine elements of traditional male and female iconography and may have served as inspiration for the works commissioned by Hatshepsut.[14] However, after this period of transition ended, all depictions of her showed her in a masculine form, with all of the pharaonic regalia and with her breasts omitted. Her reasons for doing this are a topic of great debate in Egyptology. The traditional explanation is that her motivation for wearing men's clothing was sexual. However, most modern scholars believe in a more recent theory: that by assuming the exclusively male symbols of pharaonic power, Hatshepsut was asserting her claim to be King or Queen regnant and not "King's Great Wife" or Queen consort. Even after assuming the male persona, Hatshepsut still described herself as a beautiful woman, often the most beautiful woman, and although she assumed almost all of her father's titles, she declined to take the title 'The Strong Bull'." She also had a stunning mortuary temple (right).
Via AP: "The discovery, announced Wednesday at the museum in Cairo, has not been independently reviewed by other experts. While scientists are still matching those mitochondrial DNA sequences, [molecular geneticist Yehia Zakaria] Gad said preliminary results were 'very encouraging.' [Egypt’s antiquities chief Zahi] Hawass also said that a molar found in a jar with some of the queen’s embalmed organs perfectly matched the mummy. 'We are 100 percent certain' the mummy is that of Hatshepsut, Hawass told The Associated Press."
Sphere: Related ContentPosted 5:00 PM EST by Andy in Egypt, News | Permalink
Comments
cool
Posted by: anon | Jun 27, 2007 8:39:10 PM
Ah, so she's the mystery guest host for the View!
There have been rumors it would be a man but yet they still claim it will be a woman. Very sneaky and sure to get ratings!
Wonder what Rosie would think.
(And remind me to place powerful curses on my remains.)
Posted by: Rob (lrdarystar) | Jun 27, 2007 10:25:55 PM
Actually, this is the mummy of a morbidly obese woman which might explain the convenience of cross-dressing were it not for the fact that the slender Nefertiti (Egyptian for "The Beautiful one is here") and Tutankamun and all their relatives of both sexes dressed rather alike. The coveted headress was the thing: fused crowns signifying dominion over both upper and lower Nile (think packing for both The Pines and The Grove). I think the safest archeological cognate is to be found in the summer wardrobe of the mail deliverer: nelly on men and dykish on women.
Posted by: Father Tony | Jun 27, 2007 10:45:52 PM
At first i thought we were looking at a picture of Nicole Richie...
Anyway, it's interesting that a Drag King ruled de Nile
I love Ancient Egypt
Posted by: stephen | Jun 28, 2007 12:04:25 AM
Stephen then you might enjoy learning about the god Antinous.
He was a young beautiful lover of the Emperor hadrian. On a boat trip down the nile he fell overboard and drowned. The egyptians realizing that a grieving roman emperor could sack and destroy all of egypt due to grief came up with the whole "anyone who drowns in the nile becomes an instant demi-god". just picture the scared to death egyptians saying "Yeah, yeah that;s the ticket. be happy of emperor. he's a god now." and then whiping their collective foreheads of sweat.
Hadrian had a temple built to him in Egypt and then a mutlitudes of temples throughout the roman empire. He became very popular as a protector of travelers, women, and males who loved men.
History is chock full of intersting soap opera tid bits.
Posted by: anon | Jun 28, 2007 12:24:33 AM
PS Hadrian was one of the greats. Listed amongst the top emperors of Rome.
Cleaned up the beuracracy. Increased the treasury, increased the borders, strengthened the borders, even began Hadrian's famous wall in britan to keep back the barbarians, built many public works like aquaducts / stadiums/ baths, etc
Posted by: anon | Jun 28, 2007 12:26:47 AM
Anon,
I think he deserves a movie. No more remakes of Caesar, Anthony, and Cleopatra. For heaven sakes, you mindless Hollywood executives, there's more to antiquity than those three folks.
Greatness is, of course, in the eye of the beholder. Much of what you say is true, but so is this...
Hadrian provoked the Jews into rebellion by threatening to build a shrine to Jupiter over their precious temple. He then proceeded to brutally crush the rebellion he caused, and shipped hundreds of thousands of them back to Europe as slaves.
Towards the end of his reign, he also had serious temper tandrums (probably made worse by his drinking problem). There were plenty of executions that were either unjust or, at least, highly questionable.
This created a major rift between Hadrian and the Senate. And he was only deified after his successor, Antonious Pius, demanded that his (adoptive) "father" be accorded all the rights of a god.
At home, Hadrian's apparent lack of interest in women caused considerable friction with his wife. By most accounts, they barely talked to each other. And rumors that he poisoned her became the talk of the town.
This all points to a complicated and fascinating man... that's certainly far more than just "gay." Make a movie about this man!
Posted by: John | Jun 28, 2007 6:30:36 AM
I think the temple Hatshepsut had constructed is one of the most serenely beautiful buildings placed on the planet. Awesome.
Posted by: Bill | Jun 28, 2007 8:36:19 AM
Bill
Now it does. BUT, then it would have looked gaudy with it limed white and a bunch of different colors painted all over it . Egyptian buldings never were left the natural stone color.
Posted by: anon | Jun 28, 2007 9:08:43 AM
"Toward the end of his reign...temper tandrums(probably made worse by his drinking problem)."
Sounds like me and half the other older "queens" on this blog--especially some from New York City.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Jun 28, 2007 2:05:10 PM
Derrick - do we know each other? Perhaps in antiquity???
Posted by: dave | Jun 28, 2007 3:57:57 PM
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