The Ancient Egyptian Metaphysical Architecture

by Moustafa Gadalla

  The main features of the temple include:

  1 – The Avenue of the human-headed Sphinx originally connected this temple to the Karnak Temple, for a distance of 2 km (1.25 mi.). Only 200 m (650 feet) of these sphinxes remain, located north of the Luxor The man-headed sphinxes are exact replicas of each other.

  2 – The huge pylon entrance was built by Ramses II. It also has two seated statues of the king. They were two of the original six statues, four seated and two standing. Originally, two large obelisks stood in front of the pylon. However, only one remains, while the other now stands in Place de la Concorde, in Paris. Ramses II’s symbolic battle of Kadesh is depicted on the exterior side of this pylon.

  3 – The Court beyond the pylon was built by Ramses II (1304–1237 BCE), and was bordered on three sides by double rows of columns. On the northwestern side of the Court is Tuthomosis III’s triple shrine. In the northeastern part of the Court is the Mosque of Abul Haggag, built on top of this Pharaonic sacred structure. Notice the striding colossus of Ramses II in the southeast corner.

  4 – The Colonnade, built by Amenhotep III, has 14 smooth papyrus-shaped columns. The walls behind the columns were decorated during the reign of Tutankhamen (1361–1352 BCE), and they show the Apet Festival in great detail, with the King Tutankhamen, the nobility, and the common people joining the festival procession from the Karnak Temple.

  5 – The Peristyle Court of Amenhotep III is surrounded on three sides by double rows of pillars with closed-budded capitals.

  6 – The Hypostyle Hall, containing 32 pillars, connects to a room with eight columns, then to another room with four columns.

  7 – The Inner Sanctuary with the Holy of Holies.

  8 – The Divine (Spiritual) Marriage.

  9 – Hall of the Twelve Columns is located past the Inner Sanctuary.

  10 – Triple Sanctuary is at the farthest end of the Temple.

  3. Temples of Karnak

  The Temples of Karnak are located in Luxor, 2 km (1.25 miles) north of Luxor Temple. Its ancient name was Apetsut, or The Numerator of Places.

  The original sanctuary of the Temple was built during the Middle Kingdom period. The oldest part of the complex is the White Pavillion of Sen-usert (Sesostris) I (1971-1926 BCE). The rest of the temples, pylons, courts, columns and reliefs were the work of New Kingdom Pharaohs.

  The main axis (west-east) of the temple:

  1 – The Avenue of the Rams, which is a pathway, is lined with sphinxes with heads of rams, each one exactly like the next, with great precision. It was used to link the first pylon to the east bank of the Nile.

  The first and largest pylon is 113 m (370 feet) wide and 15 m (50 ft.) high.

  2 – The Great Courtyard includes the following features:

  – On the far right, there is the Temple of Ramses III, with its courtyard surrounded on three sides by the Osrein pillars.

  – To the left is the triple shrine. The three small chapels held the sacred barques during the lead-up to the Apet Festival.

  – The middle of the Court contains the remains of a double colonnade built by King Taharqa (690–664 BCE).

  – A portico of strong columns with closed papyrus capitals is on the left side. Next to them is a row of ram-headed sphinxes, by Ramses II.

  3 – The Second Pylon was built by Horemheb (1348–1335 BCE). Ramses II erected two colossal pink granite statues on both sides of the entrance.

  4 – The Great Hypostyle Hall is one of the world’s greatest architectural masterpieces. It is 102 m x 53 m (335 ft. x 174 ft.). It began with Amenhotep (Amenophis) III, continued with Seti I, and finished by Ramses II. It has 134 columns, 24 m (79 feet) high. The columns’ circumference is 10 m (33 feet), and the top of the open papyrus-shaped capital is 15 m (50 feet). All columns and walls are fully inscripted and decorated. The outer walls of this Hall are decorated with some of the records of Seti I (1333–1304 BCE) and Ramses II.

  5 – The Third Pylon was built by Amenhotep III.

  6 – The Fourth Pylon was built by Tuthomosis I.

  7 – A Narrow Court lies between the Third and Fourth Pylons. Tuthomosis I (1528–1510 BCE) raised two obelisks in front of the Fourth Pylon. Only one is still standing. The obelisk of Tuthomosis I, is 22 m (70 feet) high and 143 tons in weight.

  8 – The Fifth Pylon was constructed by Tuthomosis I. In front of this pylon, Hatshepsut (1490–1468 BCE) raised two obelisks. Only one is standing. The Hatshepsut Obelisk is 30 m (98 ft.) in height and weighs 320 tons. Tuthomosis III built a 25 m (82 fet) high sandstone structure around Hatshepsut’s obelisk. Hatshepsut’s other obelisk lies broken near the Sacred Lake of the Karnak Temple.

  9 – The Sixth Pylon, now in a ruined state, was built by Tuthomosis III. It leads to the sacred barque sanctuary, and long lists of Tuthomosis III’s records are depicted on surrounding walls. The sanctuary was first constructed during the Middle Kingdom.

  10 – The Hall of Ceremonies (Akh-Menu) is located past the central court, dates back to the Middle Kingdom and leads to a large Hall of Ceremonies built by Tuthomosis III.

  11 – The Last Sanctuary (Holy of Holies) is located beyond the Festival Hall. One of the three rooms that form this sanctuary contains what is called “The Botanical Garden”. The room walls are carved with plants and animals from different parts of the world.

  Karnak’s Southern Axis

  The southern axis begins between the 3rd and 4th Pylons of the main west-east axis. It has a small hypostyle hall, several pylons, and a ruined sanctuary. The temple was started by Ramses III, and was added to by other Pharaohs.

  Other Points of Interest at Karnak Complex:

  1 – The Temple of Khonsu is in a fairly good state of repair. It has a small hypostyle hall and a ruined sanctuary. The temple was started by Ramses III and added to by other pharaohs.

  2 – The Temple of Apet is dedicated to the hippopotamus-netert (goddess) Apet. A 2 km (1.25 mile)-long avenue of human-headed sphinxes connected the Temple of Apet to the Luxor Temple.

  3 – The Pavilion of Senusert (Sesostris) I is the oldest structure in the Karnak Complex. Sen-usert I (1971–1926 BCE) built this very harmonious architectural gem. It contains plenty of geodesic information, such as all the provinces of Egypt with each’s respective surface area, as well as the Nile normal flood elevations at three main points along the river.

  4 – The Sacred Lake was used for purification ceremonies of the priests. It drew its water from the Nile. The lake was 120 m x 77 m (400 ft. x 250 feet) and was surrounded by buildings, storehouses, an aviary, and housing for the priests.

  4. Hatshepsut Temple

  Hatshepsut’s ( 1490 to 1468 BCE) temple is located on the west bank of the Nile in Luxor. It is very similar to an earlier temple that was built 600 years earlier by the Mentuhoteps, the kings of the 9th Dynasty. The ruins of the earlier temple are located to the south, next to Hatshepsut’s Temple.

  Hatshepsut’s Temple consists of:

  1 – A causeway, 36 m (120 feet) wide, that leads onto the three huge terraced courts.

  2 – The lower terrace consists of a double colonnade formed of two rows of eleven columns on each side of the ramp. The walls around the colonnades feature scenes of bird-catching with nets, and the transport of a pair of obelisks.

  3 – The central terrace contains:

  – Double colonnades of 11 columns on the right side. The walls there depict the “Divine Conception” of Hatshepsut.

  – Double colonnades of 11 columns on the left side. The walls there depict the naval expedition that she dispatched to the legendary land of Punt.

  – On the far right, there is the Anubis Shrine, with colorful reliefs.

  – On the far left is the chapel of Hathor, which contains 14 Hathor-headed columns. This leads into successive rock-hewn rooms, which lead to the shrine. The walls throughout have fine, colorful reliefs.

  4 – The third terrace has now been restored. The sanctuary is located at the end of the temple. This sanctuary
is hewn out of the cliff.

  5. Ramesseum Temple

  This temple is located on the western Nile bank of the city of Luxor. Ramses II (1304–1237 BCE) built this temple. The main features of this [now ruined] temple include:

  1 – The huge 1st and 2nd pylons, which feature reliefs of Ramses’ symbolic battle of Kadesh.

  2 – The Great Court includes the double colonnades (in a ruined state). Near the western stairs is part of the Colossus of Ramses II. When it stood, it was 18 m (60 feet); with his crown, it was 23 m (75 feet) high. It is said that the Persian King Cambyses destroyed it, in about 526 BCE. Others say that it was the result of an earthquake in 27 BCE.

  3 – The Great Hypostyle Hall has 29 of the original 48 columns still standing. The ceiling here features astronomical scenes and provides information on the Egyptian calendrical system. The hall contains three naves, in which the outer columns are fitted with closed bud capitals and the inner with opened bud capitals.

  4 – Sanctuaries and surrounding rooms are now in a ruined state.

  6. Medinet Habu Temples

  This temple complex is located on the western Nile bank of the city of Luxor.

  The work on this site was begun by Amenhotep I (1550–1528 BCE) and was added to by Hatshepsut, Tuthmosis III, and other rulers right through to the end of the Pharaonic history of Egypt.

  This temple complex is second only to the Temples of Karnak in size and complexity.

  The wall reliefs here are enormous. The reliefs are neatly cut, as much as 20 cm (8 in.) deep into the walls.

  The main features of this complex include:

  1 – The Pavilion looks like a fort, with the usual scenes of the powers of light defeating the powers of darkness.

  2 – The Original Temple (known as the Temple of Hatshepsut) is a small temple was built by Amenhotep I, and completed by Hatshepsut. Many Pharaohs left their marks here: Tuthomosis III, Akhenaton, Horemheb, and Seti I.

  3 – The First Pylon is covered on both sides with representations and inscriptions of symbolic depictions.

  4 – The First Court contains columns with statues in the Osiris form.

  5 – The Second Pylon shows other inscriptions.

  6 – The Second Court has very interesting wall reliefs behind the colonnades. The walls depict Festivals of Min and Ptah-Sakar-Osiris. The walls also show scenes related to the creation mysteries.

  7 – The Third Court, Offices, and Sanctuaries. This area was originally roofed over. The walls include beautiful reliefs of various objects: musical instruments, jewelry, and other artifacts.

  8 – The Northern Exterior Wall depicts the naval battle against the “Peoples of the Sea”.

  The “Peoples of the Sea” began their mass invasion of the coastal plain of Canaan (present-day Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon) around 1174 BCE, which coincided with the Greek war against Troy. The temple walls here depict the fact that the invading people consisted of fighters as well as refugees with their whole families. The wall inscriptions also indicate that the “Peoples of the Sea” were a combination of Peleset (Philistines—the word Palestine came from Peleset), Tjekker, Sheklesh, Danu and Weshesh. Ramses III defeated the invaders in a naval battle, but allowed the family refugees to settle in southwest Canaan.

  7. Dendara Temple

  Dendera (Enet-ta-ntr) is located about 50 km (30 miles) north of Luxor. Enet-ta-ntr is the Ancient Egyptian name for Dendera. Dendera’s main Temple of Het-Hathor was called “Pr Het-Heru” meaning “House of Het-Heru”. It was a major healing centre for people from all over.

  The inscription on the present temple states that the original building was erected in the far pre-Dynastic times by “the followers of Horus”. Archaeological evidence shows that Khufu (the builder of the Great Pyramid) built a temple, presumably on this temple site. During the reign of Pepi I (2289–2255 BCE), the Enet-ta-ntr Temple was rebuilt. Several subsequent Pharaohs left their marks in this important site.

  As with such ancient temples, they require restoration every few decades/centuries. This temple was last restored by the Egyptians during the Greco-Roman period.

  The Dendera (Enet-ta-ntr) site’s main features:

  1 – Hathor Main Temple

  The main features of this beautiful temple include:

  a. The temple facade contains six Hathor-headed sistrum columns and a huge corniche.

  b. The Great Hypostyle Hall has 18 similar Hathor-headed columns. The ceiling has a very interesting astronomical decoration with a representation of the twelve signs of the zodiac.

  c. The Small Hypostyle Hall contains six Hathor-headed columns. This and several surrounding rooms are fully decorated with interesting scenes.

  d. The Decorated Sanctuary and surrounding rooms.

  e. The Roof Chapels and Sanctuaries are fully decorated. A part of its ceiling is carved with the famous circular Dendera zodiac. (Actually, the present zodiac is a plaster cast of the original, which is now in the Louvre.)

  2 – Mammisi (The Birth Houses)

  There are two Mammisi from two different periods. The reliefs on the walls of both birth houses depict the “Divine Birth” (similar to Luxor and Hatshepsut Temples).

  3 – Sanatorium

  4 – Sacred Lake

  8. Abydos Temples

  This is one of Egypt’s most complete temples. The relief carving during Seti’s reign (1306–1290 BCE) is the best of the New Kingdom. Every centimeter of the temple walls are covered with perfectly executed scenes. The Seti Temple was begun by Seti I, and was completed in lesser quality during the reign of his successor, Ramses II.

  Points of main interest:

  1 – The Temple begins at the top of 42 steps, representing the 42 assessors of the Duat where Osiris presides in the final judgment day.

  2 – The temple is L-shaped and has seven sanctuaries.

  3 – The Osiris Chapel has an overview of the various forms and functions of Osiris as symbolized by different headdresses, emblems and gestures.

  The Oseirion

  The Oseirion consists of huge red granite pillars, each weighing about 100 tons. The outer walls are built of red sandstone.

  The Oseirion building is very similar to the Valley Temple of Khafra (Chephren), south of the Sphinx at Giza. Both have the same massive simplicity, the mighty square granite pillars and the total absence of inscriptions and carvings.

  The Oseirion structure is partially submerged underneath the present groundwater table. The present level of the water table has risen some 6 m (20 feet) since New Kingdom times.

  Because Seti I inscribed his name on some parts of the building, some academians were quick to attribute the building of the Oseirion to Seti I. It was, however, a common practice for pharaohs to inscribe their names on others’ temples and monuments.

  The Oseirion is extremely different from any other building in the New Kingdom. There is a huge difference between its massive, bare, and brutal simplicity as compared to the elegant and sophisticated main temple of Seti I. The Oseirion constitutes an extreme contrast in architecture, style and design to Seti’s temple.

  The tremendous difference in elevation between the Oseirion and Seti’s Temple, as well as the dramatic difference in style between the two, suggested to many scholars that the Oseirion is a much older building. The evidence at the Oseirion and other funerary remains at Abydos is consistent with the evidence at Giza and elsewhere, regarding the antiquity of the Egyptian civilization, which is much older than academicians are willing to admit.

  Osiris Temple of Ramses II

  Ramses II built another temple dedicated to Osiris, just northwest of Seti I’s temple. The roof of this temple has collapsed, but the walls still stand, displaying interesting reliefs.

  9. Esna Temple

  Esna’s Temple is located 50 km (30 miles) south of Luxor. It is dedicated to Khnum, an Egyptian name that means “moulder”. He is usually shown as a ram-headed deity, fashioning people out of clay at his potter’s wheel.
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br />   The last time this temple was restored was during the time of Ptolemy VI Philometer, on the remains of a preceding 18th Dynasty sanctuary that was itself built over the ruins of earlier temples. The temple is situated about 9 m (30 feet) below the modern street level.

  Originally, it must have been a typical full-fledged Egyptian temple. Everything vanished except the hypostyle hall—a forest of 24 columns. The columns are 13 m (43 feet) high, each fully decorated. Each column has a different capital that imitates the shapes of flowers and plants. The ceiling has a very interesting rendering of the zodiac and astronomical scenes. The interior and exterior walls are also fully decorated.

  10. Edfu Temple

  Edfu Temple is located 90 km (55 miles) south of Esna and 110 km (70 miles) north of Aswan. The temple plan is extremely homogeneous and, as such, it qualifies as the archetype of the Egyptian temple.

  The main features of this temple include:

  1 – The entrance to the temple is through a huge pylon, and is guarded by two beautiful granite falcons.

  2 – The Great Court has a colonnade of 32 columns on three sides, and is covered with beautiful reliefs.

  3 – An Antechamber that contains 18 columns. There are another two majestic black granite statues of the falcon Horus, wearing the symbolic double crown, at its entrance.

  4 – A Hypostyle Hall contains 12 columns, fully decorated.

  5 – Two fully decorated Antechambers are situated beyond the Hypostyle Hall.

  6 – The Sanctuary of Horus is encircled with ten chapels.

  7 – All interior and exterior walls are fully decorated with symbolic representations.

  8 – The Mammisi (Birth House) is located near the temple, and depicts the usual divine (spiritual) birth.