Workshop Organization at Hatshepsut’s Chapel: Archaeological Perspectives on Ancient Egyptian Reliefs

Abstract

Ancient artistic remains are commonly interpreted primarily through their stylistic qualities or historical significance. This study proposes a different perspective by analysing ancient Egyptian wall reliefs using the chaîne opératoire framework. The reliefs examined decorate the walls of the Chapel of Hatshepsut at Deir el-Bahari in Thebes. Through this analytical approach, the research reconstructs the sequence of production activities involved in creating the reliefs, beginning with the preparation of the wall surface and continuing to the final refinements executed by the master sculptor. The results make it possible to understand the ergonomic organisation of labour during the carving process, identify the roles of different craftsmen, and distinguish the work of individual hands. Moreover, the study reveals less visible aspects of workshop practice, including interactions between masters and apprentices during the production stages. By reconstructing these technical and social processes, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of artistic production in ancient Egypt and the organisation of specialised labour in monumental decoration. The methodological approach demonstrated here may also be applied to the examination of carved relief traditions in other regions of the world where similar artistic production processes existed.