Thutmose III "would have been influenced by political considerations — such as whether Hatshepsut's reign was detrimental to his legacy as a pharaoh," Wong said.

Hatshepsut ruled Egypt roughly 3,500 years ago, taking over following the death of her husband Thutmose II.

A new study argues that the pharaoh’s statues weren’t destroyed out of revenge, but were ‘ritually deactivated’ because of the power they contained.

She had been the queen consort of Thutmose II, her husband (and half-brother). When Thutmose II died, the throne went to a son he’d had with another woman, Thutmose III.

Hatshepsut was the primary wife of Thutmose’s father, Thutmose II, and became queen regent after her husband’s premature death.

Hatshepsut was the wife and half-sister of pharaoh Thutmose II who reigned from 1492 to 1479 BC and was supposed to act as regent for her stepson Thutmose III.