The Great Temple of Nebhepetre Montuhotep at Deir el Bahari was constructed in several phases. Its first incarnation appears to have been centered on Hathor, goddess of love and beauty, sexuality, joy and music.  As the temple, Akh-Isut, was expanded and renovated, the main focus of the cult became Montu-Re, and then, finally, the Theban god, Amun.  The temple was decorated with scenes from the standard Old Kingdom repertoire of hunting and warfare, but also from more local traditions showing processions of royal ladies, boat rituals, and possibly a sea battle.

The temple was intentionally damaged during the Amarna period.

This relief of the goddess Hathor, shown in human form with her cow's horns and the sun disk nestled between them, was repainted and possibly recarved during the later New Kingdom, perhaps in the reign of Ramesses II whose craftsmen did restoration work on the temples of Deir el Bahari.  It was subsequently broken from its original position, possibly by earthquake activity.