Ancient gold cartouches found in Luxor:
The recent discovery of two sets of nine solid gold cartouches dating to approximately 1400 BC, found close to Hatshepsut's obelisk, is believed to be showing Hatshepsut and Djehutymes (III), - or Tuthmose III, as he is sometimes known - in a whole new light. Both sets were discovered by a team of French and Egyptian archaeologists, and bear the name of Djehutymes (III) and Hatshepsut, found 700km south of Cairo.
Djehutymes (III) was originally thought to have had a strained relationship with Hatshepsut. When Djehutymes (II) died, it was Djehutymes (III) (his son by a minor wife) who was next in line to the throne, but on his Father's death Djehutymes (III) was too young to rule, so Hatshepsut - Djehutymes' (III) step-Mother - acted as co-regent, but she took over while he was still young, and ruled in her own right for 22 years. Upon Hatshepst's death Djehutymes (III) reclaimed his rightful place as Pharaoh of Upper and Lower Egypt, but after around 20 years on the throne he had Hatshepsut's name obliterated from her monuments, leading to the assumption that he'd done it out of revenge or jealousy. The question that has long plagued the experts is, why he waited 20 years or more to strike her name from the records, when he could have done it as soon as he ascended to the throne. Was it to secure his son Imenhotep's (II) right to the throne? Was it about the ancient Egyptian's concept of Ma'at? Maybe this recent discovery will prompt new thinking on Djehutymes' (III) feelings for his step-Mother, and his feelings on his right to become Pharaoh being delayed by some 20 years.
"These cartouches... which have the names of Hatshepsut and Tuthmose III have been found near Hatshepsut's obelisk which proves that the obelisk was erected by both rulers," said Zahi Hawass, Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities. "This goes against earlier views that Tuthmose III tried to hide Hatshepsut's obelisk when he took over as ruler and that he worked to erase any traces left by the queen," Hawass said.
The discovery is soon to go on display at the Luxor Museum.