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Karnak.
The Outer Pylon & Avenue of Sphinxes |
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| In
ancient times the site of Karnak was known as Ipet-isut,
“The Most Select of Places”, and was one of the
most holy sites in the entire kingdom. It was the seat of Amun,
“The Hidden One”, the chief god of the Egyptian
pantheon during the New Kingdom. The earliest temple belonged
to the Middle Kingdom but it was dwarfed by the additions of
later pharaohs. |
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Colossal
Statue of Ramesses II. Chris & Gayle |
Bayla
& Margarit (with a pair of admirers) |
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| Typically,
Ramesses II made his presence felt, erecting a pair of colossal
statues to flank the entrance to the great Hypostyle Hall. |
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Ellen.
Top of the World |
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Obelisks
of Hatshepsut & Tuthmosis I |
Erased
Relief of Hatshepsut |
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| Hatshepsut
too had built at Karnak, erecting a pair of obelisks (of which
one survives) and a boat shrine known as La Chapelle Rouge.
After her death, her name and images were methodically removed
by her nephew, Tuthmosis III. |
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Tent
Peg Columns in the Festival Hall of Tuthmosis III |
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Udo
& Margarit |
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of the most charming structures at Karnak is the White Chapel,
built by Senwosret I during the Middle Kingdom. The pillars
are carved with reliefs and hieroglyphs of the highest quality.
The building was subsequently demolished and its blocks were
used by Amenophis III as fill in the construction of the Third
Pylon. Its reconstruction represents a triumph of modern conservation. |
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| Karnak.
The White Chapel of Senwosret I & a detail of the Hieroglyphic
Text |
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Maureen
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