Abu Simbel Temple...A Journey Through History

 

Outline

 

 Introduction

 History and Construction

 Built by Ramses II

 Purpose and Location

 The Great Temple

 Facade and Colossi

 Interior Chambers

 The Small Temple

 Goddess Hathor

 Interior Decorations

 Rediscovery and Relocation

 Rediscovered by Burckhardt

 Relocated in 1968

 UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Impact and Significance

 Iconic Ancient Egyptian Site

 Legacy of Ramses II

 Tourism

 Conclusion

 FAQs

 

Introduction

 

The majestic 😮 Abu Simbel Temples sit peacefully along the west bank of the Nile River in southern Egypt, 260 km southwest of Aswan. As one of Egypt's iconic UNESCO World Heritage sites, the temples attract visitors from all over the 🌎 world. But the history of these imposing rock-cut structures goes much deeper than their fame as a tourist destination.

 

So join me on a journey through history as we explore the myths, legends, rediscovery, and relocation of Egypt's Abu Simbel - a lasting legacy of Ramses II that has captivated people for over 3,000 years! 🕰️

 

History and Construction

 

 Built by Ramses II

 

The Abu Simbel Temples were commissioned around 1244 BCE by Ramses II, one of Ancient Egypt's most renowned pharaohs who reigned for over 60 years.

 

Ramses II built them near the border of his empire with Nubia not only as a display of power but also to demonstrate his divinity as a god-king. The choice of location was likely to impress Egypt's southern neighbors and expand control over trade routes.

 

 Purpose and Location

 

The larger Great Temple was dedicated to revered gods Amun-Re, Re-Horakhty, Ptah, and even Ramses himself. Meanwhile, the smaller temple was dedicated to the goddess Hathor, who personified joy, feminine love, and motherhood - as well as to queen Nefertari.

 

The temples were strategically carved out of a cliff facing east to allow twice-annual solar alignment where the first morning rays would penetrate deep into the structures to dramatically illuminate the inner sanctums. This solar phenomena signified the pharaoh's relationship with the gods Re and Amun.

 

The Great Temple

 

 Facade and Colossi

 

The Great Temple's facade is dominated by 4 massive seated colossi reaching over 20 meters high, each representing Ramses II wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.

 

Flanked by smaller statues of family members, the statues leave a powerful impression of divine kingship on all who saw them in ancient times.

 

 Interior Chambers 

 

Within the Great Temple is a series of halls and chambers with pillar reliefs and engraved walls depicting Ramses worshipping the gods and performing ceremonies.

 

Deeper inside lies the sacred sanctuary where Ramses II would appear before the gods, illuminated by the sun's rays on February 22 and October 22 every year. 

 

The Small Temple

 

 Goddess Hathor 

 

While the larger temple emphasized the pharaoh's divine role, the smaller temple was dedicated to his queen Nefertari, and the goddess Hathor.

 

This represents feminine beauty and sexuality which was also seen as divine in Ancient Egypt. The temple's astronomical alignments on February 22 and October 19 correlate to Nefertari's birth and coronation dates.

 

 Interior Decorations

 

The Small Temple has a large rock-cut facade fronted by six standing colossi with features of Nefertari. Inside, the goddess Hathor embodies Nefertari's traits on pillar reliefs and wall paintings which retain remarkably vivid colors due to remaining intact over years beneath the sand.

 

One captivating wall scene depicts the fertility and nurturing of Nefertari with personified grapevines curling around her body as a flowering orchard.

 

Rediscovery and Relocation 

 

 Rediscovered by Burckhardt

 

After the grandeur of the New Kingdom's imperial age, Egypt's significance declined. The Abu Simbel temples were gradually buried under sand until rediscovered 200 years ago in 1813 by Swiss explorator Johann Ludwig Burckhardt.

 

Only the head of one colossus was visible then like a terrain hump. But word of Abu Simbel's rediscovery sparked waves of interest in Ancient Egypt by adventurers and archaeologists.

 

 Relocated in 1968 

 

However, the temples were endangered due to the rising flood waters after constructing the Aswan High Dam in the 1960s. In an immense UNESCO-led operation that generated global support, the Abu Simbel temples were carefully cut into pieces and relocated to higher ground.

 

Taking nearly 5 years during the mid-1960s, the temples were finally reconstructed as one unified complex 210 meters away and 65 meters higher from the river shore. It was a monumental feat of international cooperation in preserving world cultural heritage.

 

 UNESCO World Heritage Site 

 

In 1979, the Abu Simbel Temple complex was formally registered by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site of outstanding universal value. UNESCO described it as "an eloquent testimony to the unequaled achievements of Pharaonic architects and artists".

 

The organization also cited the immense archaeological effort in relocating the temples, "the largest and most complex" endeavor of its kind in history.

 

Impact and Significance 

 

 Iconic Ancient Egyptian Site 

 

Over the centuries, the imposing sight of Abu Simbel's colossal rock temples has come to symbolize the wonders of Ancient Egypt with an enduring allure for exploration.

 

They remain not only the most recognizable of Egypt's temple sites but also had enormous influence on temple-building throughout Nubia to as far south as Sudan.

 

 Legacy of Ramses II

 

The Abu Simbel Temples represent the remarkable legacy of Pharaoh Ramses II, whose prosperous reign lasted 66 years - one of the longest rule in Egypt's 3000-year history as an ancient superpower.

 

Through grand monuments, he sought to dominate Egypt's historical record for eternity with a gods-like status. In that regard, Ramses II thoroughly succeeded as Abu Simbel damaged his legacy as Egypt's renowned builder-king.

 

 Tourism 

 

With iconic UNESCO status and rare exact solar alignment, Abu Simbel has become a hugely popular tourist attraction and an essential stop on the southern Egypt travel circuit.

 

The site receives on average between 5000-7000 visitors per day at its peak season from October to April annually. The sense of exploration while passing between towering ancient colossi makes a visit special with a glimpse into Egypt's glorious past.

 

Conclusion

 

The majestic temples of Abu Simbel have captivated people across the ages since Ramses II had them constructed over 3000 years ago. Their discovery, relocation, and modern UNESCO fame represent an evolving history that parallels Egypt's ebb and rise from an ancient superpower to a developing nation.

 

Beyond great monuments of pharaonic egos and God-kings, the enduring aura of Abu Simbel continues to wow people from all over the 🌍 who embark on a Nile journey to this serene temple site of the mighty Ramses II.

 

So if you seek an epic excursion through history, come and wander the stone halls of Ramses II at Abu Simbel - Egypt's unforgettable temple legacy!

 

FAQs

 

What is inside the Great Temple of Abu Simbel?

 

The Great Temple contains a series of pillars and stone halls with wall carvings depicting Ramses II alongside various ancient Egyptian gods like Re, Amun, and Ptah. The innermost sanctuary was designed to have two dates annually where sunlight penetrates to dramatically illuminate Ramses II beside the gods, symbolizing his relationship with the sun deity Re.

 

When were the Abu Simbel Temples built?

 

Construction on Abu Simbel Temples began around 1244 BCE during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II and they were likely completed 20 years later around 1224 BCE. As one of Egypt's longest ruling and most powerful kings, Ramses II commissioned many colossal monuments like Abu Simbel to project his might and divine right to rule.

 

Why were the temples relocated in 1968?

 

In the 1960s with the soon-to-be-completed Aswan Dam just downstream, it was determined the rising backwaters would submerge the Abu Simbel temples. Therefore in a huge UNESCO-led effort, the temples were carefully dismantled into blocks and moved to 65m higher elevation before being reassembled as before. This salvage effort took nearly 5 years during the mid-1960s with support from over 50 countries.

 

How did people rediscover the Abu Simbel temples?

 

After Egypt's decline following the New Kingdom era of empire and pharaoh god-kings, the Abu Simbel temples became buried under blowing desert sands over successive centuries. Forgotten completely, they were serendipitously rediscovered in 1813 by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt who was in the area searching for another site. At the time of Burckhardt's discovery, only the head of one colossal statue was visible above the sands.

 

What is solar alignment?

 

Solar alignment at Abu Simbel Temples refers to the exact angle of the sun's rays entering the inner sanctuary of the Great Temple on two precise dates annually that highlight Ramses II beside the gods Re and Amun. On February 22 and October 22, the rising sunlight penetrates deep inside the temple to create a single dramatic moment that lasts about 40 minutes.

 

Why are there two temples at the Abu Simbel site?

 

There are two reasons why Ramses II had two rock temples carved from the cliffsides at the Abu Simbel site. First, duel temples allowed separate worship spaces for Egypt's major gods like Amun-Re alongside the personal goddess Hathor for his beloved Queen Nefertari. Second, building a smaller temple satisfied Ramses II's goal of self-glorification with a monument to deify his queen.

 

How tall are the giant statues guarding the Great Temple?

 

The four giant seated statues of Pharaoh Ramses II that guard the entrance to the Great Temple are over 20 meters (66 feet) tall. Carved directly out of the sandstone rockface, they are impressive in presenting Ramses II as a divine god-king.

 

What makes Abu Simbel Temples iconic?

 

Abu Simbel Temples have become globally iconic for several reasons. Their enormous scale, distinctive colossi guardians, and solar alignment reflect Egypt's long-lost imperial power and ego of god-kings like Ramses II. Rediscovered after being lost for centuries, the UNESCO-led relocation effort created modern intrigue. The eerie sense of exploration while wandering between towering figures carved 3000 years ago makes visiting Abu Simbel special.

 

How were the relocated temples protected?

 

During the relocation in the 1960s, after the temples were precisely cut into numbered blocks, modern bindings and reinforced concrete were discreetly added throughout for seismic protection before reassembling them piece-by-piece in the new elevated location. These supports helped preserve the internal integrity and longevity of structures carved over 3000 years ago.

 

What is depicted on the walls of the Small Temple?

 

The interior sandstone walls of a smaller temple dedicated to goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari retain well-preserved reliefs from when they were first carved and painted. Images depict Nefertari as a goddess decorated with flowers, vines, and exotic animals like monkeys and antelope which symbolize fertility and protection in ancient mythology.