Abu Simbel

A famous templte built by Ramesses II

Abu Simbel is an ancient temple complex located in southern Egypt at the second cataract originally cut into the solid rock cliff. They were constructed during the reign of Ramesses II (the Great), but there are debates among historians around the dates 1264-1244BCE or 1244-1224BCE. It is clear from the interiors of the Great Temple partially at least built to commemorate victory at the Battle of Kadesh in 1274BCE. To some it suggests date c.1264BCE for initial construction as victory would be fresh in their minds. The location on the border with conquered Nubia suggests to other scholars the date c.1244BCE as this is after the Nubian Campaigns Ramesses II took with his son and therefore built as a symbol of Egyptian power. There is agreement it took 20 years to finish construction and that they are dedicated to the gods Ra-Horakty, Ptah and deified Ramesses II (The Great Temple) and goddess Hathor and Queen Nefertari, Ramesses favourite wife (The Small Temple). The name was apparently not given in antiquity, but instead Swiss explorer Burckhardt was led to the site by a young boy called Abu Simbel in 1813, and the site was given his name. He failed to uncover the site as it was buried under sand and mentioned the experience to his friend and explorer Giovanni Belzoni (a key figure in the history of Egyptology) and it was he who first ‘excavated’ the site. It seems likely it was Belzoni led to the site not Burckhardt either way the original name of the site is unknown. The Great Temple stands 30m (98ft) high and 35m (115ft) long famous for its four colossi flanking the entrance which depict Ramesses II on his throne each of them is 20m (65ft) tall. Below are smaller statues of conquered enemies - Nubians, Libyans and Hittites with more statues representing family members and several “protecting gods and symbols of power”. Upon entry through the central entrance the interior is decorated with depictions of Ramesses and Nerfertari paying homage to the gods.The Battle of Kadesh also features heavily despite the result being at best a draw.

The Small Temple stands 12m (40ft) high and 28m (92ft) long; it also has colossai at its front and is notable for ‘queen’ Nerfertari being the same size as Ramesses; and for it is second time a ruler had dedicated a temple to his wife (the first being Akhenaten dedicating a temple to Nefertiti). The location of the temple was sacred to Hathor and it is thought this is why Ramesses chose to build there. The temples are aligned east meaning that twice a year on 21st February and 21st October the sun shines directly into the sanctuary of the Great Temple illuminating the statues of Ramesses and Amun.This type of alignment was common in the ancient world, but this temple is different; the statue of the god Ptah “is carefully positioned so that it is never illuminated”. Ptah was associated with the Egyptian underworld and therefore his image is kept in darkness.

It is important to note that these temples are no longer in their original location as a result of Aswan High Dam project - the temples and surrounding monuments would have been submerged. 1964-68 both temples were dismantled and moved onto the plateau of the cliffs they previously sat below. This was led by UNESCO costing $40million man-made mountain was created to give the impression of temples cut into rock cliff. All smaller statues and stealae were also moved from complex to the new location including stele depicting marriage of Ramesses and Hittite princess Naptera ratifying the Treaty of Kadesh.

**Did you know?** Abu Simbel is the second most visited ancient Egyptian site behind the Pyramids of Giza.