Karnak Temple Complex
Ipet-isut · Karnak Temples · Temple of Amun at Karnak
Middle Kingdom to Ptolemaic (c.2000 BCE–100 CE; major phase New Kingdom 1550–1070 BCE)·Egyptian Pharaonic (Middle Kingdom to Greco-Roman)·🇪🇬 Luxor Governorate, Egypt
About
About Karnak Temple Complex
Largest temple complex in Egypt – 200 acres built over 1,500 years from Senusret I (1956 BCE) to Romans. Precinct of Amun with Great Hypostyle Hall: 134 sandstone columns 16×21 m, 12 central columns 21 m tall 3 m diameter, 122 smaller 15 m; barrage pylon (113 m wide never finished), sacred lake, obelisks of Thutmose I (21 m), Hatshepsut (29.5 m, tallest standing), Thutmose III. Processional avenue of sphinxes to Luxor Temple (2.7 km).
Why it mattersLargest religious complex in Egypt; ceiling of Karnak evolution 2,000 years
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01How 800-ton Hatshepsut obelisk quarried and erected with sand ramps and levering
- 02Meaning of Karnak's axial deviation to Nile vs cardinal solaire
Theories
- 01Hypostyle Hall construction technique traced via talatat blocks and Herodotus levers (Arnold)
- 02Temple growth reflects Amun priesthood's expanding political power vs pharaonic
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Begun under Senusret I c.1956 BCE; Hypostyle under Seti I–Ramesses II c.1290–1225 BCE
- Period
- Middle Kingdom to Ptolemaic (c.2000 BCE–100 CE; major phase New Kingdom 1550–1070 BCE)
- Culture
- Egyptian Pharaonic (Middle Kingdom to Greco-Roman)
- Purpose
- Primary cult centre of Amun-Ra, Theban Triad, and state coronation temple of pharaohs
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
Begun under Senusret I c.1956 BCE; Hypostyle under Seti I–Ramesses II c.1290–1225 BCE
Initial construction
c. 1486 CE
Abandonment
On the ground
Structures & features
25.7188° N · 32.6574° E · 90 m · 3 mapped features
Great Hypostyle Hall
hall54,000 sq ft hall with 134 columns, 12 central 21 m papyrus columns 140 tonnes each
25.7185° N · 32.6570° EPylon of Horemheb (Second Pylon)
pylonWestern main entrance pylon 113 m wide (unfinished brick ramp remains)
25.7182° N · 32.6560° EObelisk of Hatshepsut
obelisk29.5 m pink granite obelisk, tallest standing in Egypt, sunk inscription
25.7188° N · 32.6578° E
Gallery