Hatshepsut was one of the most successful pharaohs of Egypt, reigning for over 20 years during the 18th Dynasty. Initially a regent for her young stepson, Thutmose III, she eventually declared herself pharaoh, assuming the full titles and regalia of a king, including the traditional false beard. Her reign was characterized by prosperity, peace, and prolific building projects. She re-established major trade networks, most notably a famous expedition to the Land of Punt, which brought back gold, ivory, and myrrh trees. Her mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahari is considered an architectural masterpiece of the ancient world. After her death, many of her statues were destroyed and her name was erased from official records by her successor, likely to restore the traditional male lineage. She remained largely forgotten by history until her identity was rediscovered by modern archaeologists in the 19th century.