Temple of Kalabsha

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The Temple of Kalabsha today
Carved relief from Kalabsha temple

The Temple of Kalabsha (also Temple of Mandulis) is an Ancient Egyptian temple that was originally located at Bab al-Kalabsha (Gate of Kalabsha), approximately 50 km south of Aswan.[1] The temple was situated on the west bank of the Nile River, in Nubia, and was originally built around 30 BC during the early Roman era. While the temple was constructed in Augustus's reign, it was never finished.[2] The temple was a tribute to Mandulis (Merul), a Lower Nubian sun god.[3] It was constructed over an earlier sanctuary of Amenhotep II.[4] The temple is 76 m long and 22 m wide in dimension.[5] While the structure dates to the Roman period, it features many fine reliefs such as "a fine carving of Horus emerging from reeds on the inner curtain wall" of the temple.[6] From Kalabsha's "sanctuary chambers, a staircase leads up to the roof of the temple" where one can see a splendid view of the temple itself and the sacred lake.[7] Several historical records were inscribed on the temple walls of Kalabsha such as "a long inscription carved by the Roman Governor Aurelius Besarion in AD 250, forbidding pigs in the temple" as well as an inscription of "the Nubian king Silko, carved during the 5th century and recording his victory over the Blemmyes and a picture of him dressed as a Roman soldier on horseback."[8] Silko was the Christian king of the Nubian kingdom of Nobatia.[9]

Later use and movement of the temples

When Christianity was introduced to Egypt, the temple was used as a church.[3]

With help from Germany, the temple of Kalabsha was relocated after the Aswan High Dam was built, to protect it from rising waters on Lake Nasser. The temple was moved to a site, located just south of the Aswan High Dam. The process of moving the temple took more than two years.[3] The temple of Kalabsha was the largest free-standing temple of Egyptian Nubia (after Abu Simbel) to be moved and erected at a new site.[10] Although the building was never completed, it "is regarded as one of the best examples of Egyptian architecture in Nubia."[11]

Gallery of images

  • Temple of Kalabsha

  • relief of Augustus at Kalabsha

  • The Nubian god Mandulis from Kalabsha temple

See also

References

  1. ↑ Lorna Oakes, Pyramids, Temples and Tombs of Ancient Egypt: An Illustrated Atlas of the Land of the Pharaohs, Hermes House:Anness Publishing Ltd, 2003. p. 208
  2. ↑ Rosalie David, Discovering Ancient Egypt, Facts on File, 1993. p. 103
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Kamil, Jill (1996). Upper Egypt and Nubia: The Antiquities from Amarna to Abu Simbel. Egyptian International Publishing Company. pp. 141–143. 
  4. ↑ David, p. 103
  5. ↑ "New Kalabsha at Aswan". Al-Ahram Weekly. June 13, 2002. 
  6. ↑ Christine Hobson, Exploring the World of the Pharaohs: A Complete Guide to Ancient Egypt, Thames & Hudson 1993 paperback, p. 185
  7. ↑ Hobson, p.185
  8. ↑ Hobson, p.185
  9. ↑ Oakes, p.209
  10. ↑ Christine Hobson, Exploring the World of the Pharaohs, Thames & Hudson Ltd., 1997. p.177
  11. ↑ Oakes, p.208

External links

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Coordinates: 23°36′00″N 32°49′00″E / 23.6°N 32.816667°E / 23.6; 32.816667

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