Senenmut
Architects - The PeopleSenenmut was 1 of 6 children for his parents: father Ramose and mother Hatnofer. It appears that he never married seeming to concentrate on his career and rose to prominence in the royal household during the reign of Pharaoh Thutmose II. His first title was a Steward to Great Royal Wife Hatshepsut and Princess Neferure.




When Pharaoh Hatshepsut took the Crown, Architect Senenmut came into his own. Firstly, he was elevated to High Steward of Pharaoh before later claiming title and responsibility as Chief Architect. He followed this up by:
- Overseeing the Twin Obelisk Project from quarrying to erection of the 2 Obelisks at the entrance to Karnak Temple, Thebes. Click here for further details about the Karnak Temple, Thebes
- Chief Architect for the design and completion of Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple at Deir el Bahri. Click here for further details about Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple at Deir el Bahri
- Chief Architect for the design and completion of his own Tomb at Deir el Bahri – TT353 – which includes the earliest known Star Map in Ancient Egypt. Click here for further details about his Tombs TT353 and TT71.
- Chief Architect for the design and completion of his own Chapel Tomb within the Tombs of the Nobles – TT71. Click here for further details about the Tombs of the Nobles, Theban Necropolis
- Overseeing the Heb Sed Festival Obelisk from quarrying to erection of the Obelisk inside Karnak Temple, Thebes; during Year 15 of Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s reign to celebrate her Heb Sed Festival. Click here for further details about the Heb Sed Festival
Egyptologists now believe that Architect Senenmut’s remains are deposited in the Royal Mummy Cache in Deir el Bahri. To learn more about the Royal Mummy Cache in Deir el Bahri, click here.
Senenmut was incredibly trusted by Pharaoh Hatshepsut and her daughter. Especially by the Titles he was endowed with and from Statues that exist which show him holding the Princess on his lap in his role as her Tutor. Being granted permission to erect his Tomb near Pharaoh Hatshepsut’s Mortuary Temple is another sign of huge respect for the humbly born Architect.
