Masters and apprentices at the Chapel of Hatshepsut: towards an archaeology of ancient Egyptian reliefs

A groundbreaking analysis of the wall reliefs in Hatshepsut's Chapel at Deir el-Bahari, Ancient Thebes, reveals for the first time the sequence of artistic work and the ergonomic organization behind their creation. By examining the reliefs through an 'opératoire' lens, researchers distinguished the contributions of master sculptors from those of apprentices, uncovering intangible aspects such as interactions between them. This innovative approach offers new insights into ancient Egyptian artistry and could be applied to similar carved reliefs worldwide.

Stupko-Lubczynska, A. (2021). Masters and apprentices at the Chapel of Hatshepsut: towards an archaeology of ancient Egyptian reliefs. Antiquity, 96(385), 85–102. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2021.103