1470 B.C. A shrine for Amun, Mut and Khonsu. Due to a "typo" by the artisans, they put a word in the feminine rather than masculine form when talking about Ramesses II, this shrine is attributed to Hatshepsut. The columns represent papyrus buds at the top and bundles of papyrus stems (Seidel & Schulz 315).
Amun: "'the hidden one was an air deity who became...head of the Egyptian pantheon. He is associated with a ram with downturned horns, an animal suggestive of pugnaciousness and virility. Usually shown in human form, wearing a twin-plumed headdress incorporating a solar disk...merged with Re to become the creator god Amun-Re" (Hamilton 335).
Mut: "Mut was a vulture goddess, possibly the original Theban deity... she was depicted in human form with a vulture headdress. When Amun rose to become king of the gods, Mut was installed as his divine consort...One of the meanings of 'Mut' is 'mother,' indicative of her maternal aspect. The image of the outstretched vulture's wings was used to stress her protective role...She also had a ferocious aspect as one of the Eyes of Re" (Hamilton 343).
Khonsu: "Theban deity...the son of Amun and Mut. He was usually depicted as a youth holding a crook and flail, symbols of kingship. He wears the sidelock of youth, and a headdress incorporating images of both a crescent and full moon... a lunar deity, Khonsu was naturally associated with time and the calendar; his name translates as 'wanderer,' suggesting his own journey across the skies...also identified with healing" (Hamilton 240).
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