KARNAK TEMPLE

The Karnak Temple Complex near Luxor is a vast assemblage of temples, pylons, chapels, and ceremonial structures built over nearly two millennia—from the Middle Kingdom reign of Senusret I (1971–1926 BCE) through the Ptolemaic period. Situated on the east bank of the Nile at ancient Thebes, Karnak and Luxor Temples stand about a mile and a half apart and are linked by the Avenue of Sphinxes, a processional route long buried beneath sand until excavations from 1949 to 2000 revealed and restored it. At Karnak, the ram‑headed sphinxes represent Amun, the chief deity of the temple. Their lion bodies and curved‑horned ram heads symbolize his strength and protective power. Each sphinx shelters a small standing figure of Ramesses II (1279–1213 BCE) between its forelegs, reinforcing both divine authority and royal presence within this monumental sacred landscape.

Ram-headed sphinxes, are believed to represent the god Amun, the chief deity worshipped at the Temple of Karnak

The Avenue of Sphinxes was buried under layers of sand over the centuries, the first trace of the avenue was found by Archaeologists in 1949

Since then hundreds of Spinxes have been found under 30 feet or more of sand, Temple of Karnak

4.) The Avenue of Sphinxes in front of the first pylon entrance of Karnak Temple, also known as Rams Road, it connects Karnak Temple with Luxor Temple to the south about a mile away

5.) Construction of the Avenue of Sphinxes began during the New Kingdom and completed during the reign of 30th Dynasty ruler Nectanebo I 380–362 BC

6.) The Avenue of Sphinxes was buried under layers of sand, the first trace of the avenue was found in 1949 when Egyptian archaeologists discovered eight statues near Karnak Temple

7.) The Avenue of Sphinxes looking away from Karnak Temple

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THE GREAT HYPOSTYLE HALL

The Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak is one of the most extraordinary achievements of Egyptian architecture. Built during the 19th Dynasty in the 13th century BCE—primarily in the Ramesside period—it occupies the Precinct of Amun‑Re and is among Egypt’s most visited monuments after the Pyramids of Giza. Covering 5,000 square meters (about 54,000 square feet), the hall was originally roofed and supported by 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows. Its two central rows are especially striking: each column measures 10 meters (33 feet) in circumference and rises to 24 meters (70 feet). The hall’s design features a raised central aisle flanked by lower side aisles, allowing for clerestory lighting—windows set high in the walls to admit light and air. The earliest known use of this architectural innovation appears here, illuminating the forest of columns that once supported the vast stone roof.

1.) This is the first architectural rendering of the Hypostyle Hall

2.) compiled by scholars of Napoleon's expedition to Egypt, 1798-1801

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Entrance to Karnak Temple, the Hypostyle hall has 134 sandstone columns with the center twelve columns standing at 69 feet, 1250 B.C.E., 18th and 19th Dynasties, Temple of Karnak, Luxor

The earliest evidence for clerestory lighting comes from Karnak, 19th Dynasty 1290–1224 BC, Luxor, Egypt

The center of the Hypostyle hall is taller than the spaces on either side, which allows for clerestory stone window grilles to let in light and air into the dark space below, Temple of Karnak, Luxor

The earliest evidence for clerestory lighting comes from Karnak, 19th Dynasty 1290–1224 BC, Luxor, Egypt

The center of the Hypostyle hall is taller than the spaces on either side, which allows for clerestory stone window grilles to let in light and air into the dark space below, Temple of Karnak, Luxor

The earliest evidence for clerestory lighting comes from Karnak, 19th Dynasty 1290–1224 BC, Luxor, Egypt

Karnak Tempel Hypostyle columns

Karnak Statuary

Osiris sculpture holding two anks the symbol of immortality, Wadjet Hall, carved sand stone, 1230 BCE. Karnak Temple

Sign-bearer statue of Seti II, 1292 BC, Karnak, Temple

Headless granite statue of god Ptah at Ptah Temple, Karnak Temple

Ruins of a colossal statue, carved granite, 1230 BCE, Karnak Temple

Ruins of a colaspped colossal statue, carved granite, 1230 BCE, Karnak Temple

Gate of Ramses IX with obelisk by Thutmosis I and Ruins of a Colossal Statue, carved granite, 13th century BC. Karnak Temple

Statue of Amun Ra, carved sand stone, 1230 BCE, Karnak Temple

Pharaoh Thutmose III, holding two anks the symbol of immortality, carved sand stone, 1230 BCE, Karnak Temple

Statue headdress & face of Tutankhamun, 1230 BCE, Karnak Temple

Temple of Karnak - Statues, 1230 BCE, Karnak Temple

Pharaoh Thutmose III, holding two anks the symbol of immortality, carved sand stone, 1230 BCE, Karnak Temple

Statue headdress & face of Tutankhamun, 1230 BCE, Karnak Temple

1.) Relief from the sanctuary of the Temple of Khonsu at Karnak,

2.) Relief from the sanctuary depicting Ramesses III Representation of the Temple of Khonsou at Karnak

3.) Relief from the sanctuary depicting Ramesses III with the characteristics of Menthu the sun disk and the two plumes, Karnak Temple

Photo Kairoinfo4u

1.) Sekhmet, The Lioness Goddess of Ancient Egypt

2.) her shrine is The Temple of Ptah in the immense Karnak Temple

3.) she is the companion of Ptah, the god of healing, 18th Dynasty, 1550/1549 BC. Karnak Temple

1.) Outside North Wall of the Great Hypostyle Hall, The Sacred Mushroom Rites, and the Hidden Meaning of the Egyptian Ankh,

2.) while Seti I makes offers to Clepsydra in the Ished Tree, Thoth inscribes the Kings Name on a leaf

3.) 13th century BCE, Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor

BARQUE CHAPLE OF RAMSES III

The First Barque Chapel of Ramses III (1184–1153 BCE) features Osiride statues of the king wrapped in mummy‑like garments, emphasizing his connection to the afterlife. The first court is lined with eight such figures: those on the west wear the red crown of Upper Egypt, while those on the east wear the white crown of Lower Egypt. Beyond the court lies a vestibule supported by additional Osiride pillars, leading into a small hypostyle hall and finally into three chapels designed to house the sacred barques of Karnak.

1.) Pylon, entrance to the Barque Temple of Ramesses III, this area was enclosed by the court yard constructed by Shoshenq I (943-922 BCE), the Barque Temple of Ramesses III, Karnak Temple

2.) The shrine’s entrance is fronted by a small pylon adorned with scenes of the king smiting his enemies and flanked by two 20 foot (6 meter) statues carved from red sandstone of Ramses III, the Barque Temple of Ramesses III, Karnak Temple

3.) This 200-foot-long temple features three bark chapels, a hypostyle hall of eight columns, a vestibule with four columns, and an open court, the Barque Temple of Ramesses III, Karnak Temple

4.) Temple of Ramses III, The first court is lined with eight Osride statues of the king; the west side wear the red crown of the south, Karnak Temple

5.) while those on the east side wear the white crown of the north. Karnak Temple

6.) The Osiride statues on the west hold the hek scepter in the left and and the nekhakha scepter in their right, Karnak Temple

7.) Temple of Ramses III, Inside the one of three Barque Chapels, looking into the court-yard, Karnak Temple

8.) Inside the Barque Chapel looking out past the small courtyard of the Temple of Ramesses III towards the far gate to the Forecourt with the colossal column of the Kiosk of Taharqa, Karnak Temple

9.) Temple of Ramses III, Inside the one of three Barque Chapels, looking into the court-yard, Karnak Temple

10.) Temple of Ramses III, The Osiride statues inside the Barque Chapel courtyard, Karnak Temple

11.) Inside the Barque Chapel small courtyard of the Temple of Ramesses III looking out to the Forecourt of Karnak Temple

12.) Temple of Ramses III, The Osiride statues inside the Barque Chapel courtyard, Karnak Temple

13.) Great Temple of Karnak forecourt the main entrance into the temple but it was never completed

14.) The remaining colossal column of the Kiosk of Taharqa, built by the 25th Dynasty pharaoh Taharqa (690-664 B.C.) at the Karnak Temple Complex

15.) Colossal statue of Ramses II with his daughter, Princess Bintanath, Red Granite, Karnak Temple Complex

KARNAK HISTORIC PHOTOS

Historical photography of the Step Pyramid complex and the wider Saqqara necropolis dates back nearly two centuries, providing invaluable records of monuments before major excavation or restoration. In 1839, French academician François Arago championed photography as a revolutionary tool capable of copying “the millions and millions of hieroglyphics” covering Egypt’s ancient sites. His endorsement helped spark a wave of artist‑travelers who brought early cameras—first using metal plates, then paper and glass negatives—to document monuments long buried under sand, including the Sphinx. These pioneering images marked the moment when ancient Egypt reemerged after three millennia, inspiring a generation of 19th‑century photographers such as Félix Teynard, John Beasley Greene, Théodule Devéria, Felice Beato, Félix Bonfils, Lichtenstern and Harari, and Francis Frith.

Karnak Thèbes, Cour du Palais, Vue Prise de Point I, Imprimerie photographique H. de Fonteny et Cie, Photograph Salted paper print from paper negative, 1851, Photographer: Félix Teynard 1817-1892, Source: The Met, New York

Public Domain

Luxor Temple, carved sandstone statue of Ramesses the Great, 1303-1213 BCE., Photographer: Antonio Beato, Date: 1862, Technique: albumen print, Source: Rijks Museum

Public Domain

Hector Horeau: Theben Zeno Fotografie, Daguerreotypie, Wasserfarben, 1841, Photographer: Hector Horeau, 1839-1928, Collection: 5,000 Masterpieces of Photography: Zeno.org

Public Domain

Temple van Karnak, Ptolemey gateway & Temple of Konshu, Date: 1895, Photographer: Antonio Beato:

CC0 1.0 Universal

Karnak, Great Hypostyle Hall, Watercolour, 1866, Artist: Richard Phene Spiers, 1838–1916, Victoria and Albert Museum:

Public Domain

Decorated pillars of the temple at Karnac, Thebes, Egypt. Coloured lithograph by Louis Haghe after David Roberts, 1846, Wellcome Collection Gallery:

Public Domain

Great Hall at Karnac, Thebes, Date: 1838 by: David Roberts (1796-1864), Tinted lithograph, from the book: Egypt & Nubia From Drawings Made On The Spot

Public Domain

Karnak, Gate of Ptolemy III, Mougins, Musée d'art classique de Mougins,

CC0 1.0 Universal

Temple de Louqsor, 88432 Zangaki, Photographer, 1860s-1920s, Repository: The New York Public Library. Photography Collection, Miriam and Ira D. Wallach Division of Art, NYPL Digital Gallery:

Public Domain

Karnak, colonnade du Grand Temple, Photoglob Co., 1890-1910, 1 print: color photochrom ; sheet 21 x 27 cm, Library of Congress:

Public Domain

Temple Of Khonsu, Flickr - Gaspa - Tempio di Karnak: ingresso, Photographer, Francesco Gasparetti:

Public Domain

Karnak Temple of Amon, Hypostyle Hall, albumen print, date: 1865, Collection: A. D. White Architectural Photographs, Cornell University Library:

Public Domain

Karnak Temple, Hypostyle Hall, date: 1906, Photographer, H.W. Dunning, Fondren Library:

Public Domain

Pylon Gateway Arch, Abstract/medium: 1 photographic print : albumen, 1850, Library of Congress:

Public Domain

Karnak, Abstract/medium: 1 photographic print: albumen, 1856, Photographer: Frank Mason Good, 1839-1928, Library of Congress:

Public Domain

Karnak Temple colossi, 13th century BCE, Luxor,Photograph, Lantern Slide Collection, Date: 1870, Author: Brooklyn Museum:

Public Domain

Karnak Temple colossi, 13th century BCE, Luxor, Photo: A Pylon with Colossi, Date: 1874, Author: William de Wiveleslie Abney, 1843–1920:

Public Domain

Karnak Temple colossi, 13th century BCE, Luxor, Abstract/medium: 1 negative photograph, Statues of kings behind the 8th pylon, Date: 1900, Source: G. Eric and Edith Matson Photograph Collection:

Public Domain

The same seated colossus as seen in the old photos above buried in sand and rubble, on the south side of the seventh pylon of the temple of Karnak, 13th century BCE, Luxor

A seated colossus on the south side of the seventh pylon of the temple of Karnak, 13th century BCE, Luxor

Tourist and guide standing next to the colossi of the seventh pylon of the temple of Karnak, 13th century BCE, Luxor

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