Karnak Temple:
A sweeping new geoarchaeological study has revealed how Egypt’s famed Karnak Temple complex rose from an island amid Nile floods to become one of the ancient world’s most enduring sacred centers.
- The Karnak Temple, or rather the complex of temples of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt, is one of the most impressive of Ancient Egyptian sites and once formed part of the city of Thebes.
- It is located in Karnak, Luxor Governorate, south of Egypt on the east side of the Nile River bank.
- It was built between 2055 BC and around 100 AD.
- It was built as a cult temple and was dedicated to the gods Amun, Mut, and Khonsu.
- Being the largest building for religious purposes ever to be constructed, the Karnak Temple was known as “most select of places” by ancient Egyptians.
- While the height of its importance was during the New Kingdom, and during the reigns of famous pharaohs such as Hatshepsut, Tuthmose III, Seti I, and Ramesses II, all contributed significant additions to the complex, construction continued into the Greco-Roman Period, with the Ptolemies, Romans, and early Christians all leaving their mark there.
- Together with the Luxor Temple and the Valley of the Kings, the Karnak Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
