Abu Simbel Temple
The Abu Simbel Temple is one of Egypt’s most significant historical landmarks. Located in southern Egypt near the second cataract of the Nile River, the temple is intricately carved into a solid rocky cliff. It is dedicated to the gods Ra-Horakhty, Ptah, Ramses II, the goddess Hathor, and Queen Nefertari. The construction of the temple dates back to the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II, approximately between 1264-1244 BC or 1244-1224 BC, depending on the varying opinions of modern scholars regarding the timeline of Ramses II’s life. The temple was constructed to commemorate Ramses’s victory over the Hittites at the Battle of Kadesh and took around twenty years to complete. One of the temple’s fascinating features is its precise eastern orientation, allowing sunlight to illuminate the sanctuary twice a year, specifically on January 21 and October 21, shining directly on the statues of Ramses and Amun.
Overview of Abu Simbel Temple
The Abu Simbel complex consists of two main temples:
- The Great Temple: This temple was formerly known as the Temple of Ramses. Carved into the mountainside, it features an entrance adorned with four colossal statues, each standing at a height of 21 meters. These statues depict Ramses with a false beard, short kilt, and a crown embellished with a cobra, flanked by smaller statues at their feet. The temple extends 64 meters into the mountain, with the first hall featuring eight columns and the second hall showcasing four intricately decorated columns. A notable statue of Ramses II is seated alongside the deities Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and Ptah within this hall.
- The Small Temple: This temple’s entrance is graced by four statues of the pharaoh and two statues of his wife, Nefertari, each standing 10 meters tall, along with smaller figures. Inside, there is a hall with six columns that feature depictions of the goddess Hathor, with several inscriptions adorning its back wall.
Relocation of Abu Simbel Temple
In the 1960s, the Abu Simbel Temple faced the imminent threat of flooding due to the Egyptian government’s plan to construct the Aswan High Dam on the Nile River. This project posed a significant risk of rising water levels. In response, conservation organizations initiated a fundraising campaign to rescue the temple from potential submersion. UNESCO developed a strategy for relocating the temple in 1964, proposing to re-establish it on higher ground, 60.96 meters above its original site. A team of specialists from various countries, including archaeologists, engineers, and heavy machinery experts, was assembled for this undertaking. Approximately 40 million dollars were allocated to complete the relocation process, involving the intricate task of cutting the temple into stone blocks weighing up to 20,000 kilograms each. These pieces were then transported and meticulously reassembled at the new site, with the relocation completed by 1968.