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In
the last few centuries BC, the Ptolemaic pharoahs of Egypt built
a magnificent temple to the goddess Isis on the island of Philae
just downstream from Elephantine. The island was believed to
be one of the burial places of her husband, Osiris, and was
held in special regard by both Nubians and native Egyptians.
After the construction of the first Aswan dam at the beginning
of the last century, the island was partly submerged for most
of the year and in 1960 it was decided to dismantle the temple
and rebuild it on the nearby (and higher) island of Agilkai. |
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Philae
viewed from the river |
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Philae.
Outer Court |
Our
guide Hany |
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Ellen,
Heather, Karen and Maureen at Philae. The posts
in the distance mark the site of the original island
& temple (now underwater).
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A
view of the catarcts from the Aswan Low Dam |
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As
was the case at Philae, the temples on the island of New Kalabsha
have all been moved there from their original sites further
upstream in Nubia. The main temple was built by the Roman emporer
Augustus to honour the Nubian deity, Horus-Mandulis, along with
Isis and Osiris. It is a fairly standard type, with a large
formal gateway known as a pylon leading through a series of
courtyards and halls to the sanctuary. |
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The
Pylon of the Kalabsha Temple |
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Gayle
reading an inscription |
Painted
Relief of the pharoah presenting offerings to Horus
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Smaller
temples from other sites were also moved to New Kalabsha, including
the Ramessid ‘House of Ptah’ from Gerf Hussein and
the Roman kiosk from Qertassi. |
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Kiosk
of Qertassi |
Steve
in the House of Ptah |
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