The Temple of Hatchepsut, Dayr al-Bahri, lies at the base of the mountainous Western shore of the town of Luxor in Egypt; standing as a monument to gender struggle dating back to the 15th century, built by a queen who dressed as a man, ruled with a firm hand and seemingly loved by the people. Followed by her brother Tuthmose to the throne, he attempted to erase all evidence of his sister's greatness as Egypt's ruler, deforming the faces of her statues, hiding her grave and literally covering many depictions of her accomplishments. This defacement is unique in Ancient Egypt, documented only another time with the defacement of pagan gods by Christians seeking refuge from Roman persecution in deserted Pharaonic temples. Dynastic or sibling conflicts may have been at the heart of Tuthmose's actions, but gender is central to that of brother and sister and his actions actually give us perhaps the first recorded evidence of gender conflict. Notwithstanding Tuthmose's efforts, the historical record remained, to be discovered later with much of the damage corrected and the story brought to light.

Although modern interest in Ancient Egypt focused on Pharaoh and his powers, narratives recorded on papyri, stella and walls of temples and tombs, tell the story of people from all walks of life, poor and rich alike. Hatchepsut's temple enlightens us to struggles within families, sibling rivalry, and their consequences. It also tells us of the limits to a woman's life and how she managed, when capable, to beat the system working against her. The narratives tell of international affairs, trade and exchange in goods and knowledge, and illustrate how inter-connected and dynamic the ancient world was, referring to the voyage sent by Hatchepsut to the Land of Punt, as the Horn of Africa was known in the Ancient World. Why the Land of Punt? Why send ships laden with goods to trade and officials to meet and negotiate with that far-off land? What did Egypt know about Punt and what did they want from it?

These questions are answerable, at least in part, from artistic creations drawn by Egypt's craftsmen to commemorate this notable, strategic trip.