Abu Simbel Temples
by Unknown Artist, -1264
Details
- Year
- -1264
- Medium
- Carved sandstone cliff
- Size
- Seated figures 20 m (66 ft) tall
The Abu Simbel temples are two massive rock temples carved into a mountainside in southern Egypt during the reign of Ramesses II around 1264 BCE. Four colossal seated statues of the pharaoh guard the entrance to the Great Temple, each standing 20 meters (66 feet) tall. The temples were built to intimidate Egypt's southern neighbors and commemorate Ramesses' victory at the Battle of Kadesh.
The Great Temple penetrates 56 meters into the cliff, culminating in a sanctuary where statues of four gods sit in eternal darkness. Twice yearly, on February 22 and October 22, sunlight penetrates the entire length of the temple to illuminate three of the four statues. The dates may mark Ramesses' birthday and coronation anniversary.
The temples were relocated in their entirety between 1964 and 1968 to save them from flooding when the Aswan High Dam created Lake Nasser. Engineers cut the monuments into blocks, moved them 65 meters higher and 200 meters inland, then reassembled them against an artificial mountain. The salvage operation remains one of archaeology's greatest technical achievements.
About Abu Simbel Temples
The temples stand in southern Egypt near the Sudanese border, about 290 kilometers south of Aswan. Most visitors fly from Aswan or Cairo, as the drive takes over three hours through desert.
The four seated figures of Ramesses II at the entrance stand 20 meters tall (66 feet). The temple itself extends 56 meters into the cliff. Smaller figures at the pharaoh's feet depict family members.
The temples were relocated between 1964 and 1968 to save them from the rising waters of Lake Nasser, created by the Aswan High Dam. UNESCO coordinated the salvage, cutting the monuments into blocks and reassembling them 65 meters higher.
Twice yearly, on February 22 and October 22, sunlight penetrates the 56-meter temple to illuminate three statues in the inner sanctuary. The god of darkness, Ptah, remains in shadow even then.
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