Egypt, Ancient
Cliffs
Steele, Lawrence E.
Copyright RDS Library & Archives. Publication, transmission or display is prohibited without formal written approval of the RDS Library & Archives.
Still image.
Bas-relief showing carved soldiers. Possibly the Temple of Isis, Philae temple complex.
Temples
Art, Egyptian
Bas-relief showing carved soldiers. Possible Temple of Isis, Philae temple complex.
Still image
Capitals of columns of the Temple of Philae complex.
The Philae temple complex (/ˈfaɪliː/; Ancient Greek: Φιλαί or Φιλή and Πιλάχ, Arabic: فيلة Egyptian Arabic: [fiːlæ], Egyptian: p3-jw-rķ' or 'pA-jw-rq; Coptic: ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕ, ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕϩ,[ Coptic pronunciation: [ˈpilɑk, ˈpilɑkh]) is an island-based temple complex in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, downstream of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Egypt in Africa. Originally, the temple complex was located on Philae Island, near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile in Upper Egypt. These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902. With the construction of the modern dam in Aswan (1960–1970) a few kilometers upstream, this temple was going to face total flooding and was initially omitted from the Nubia Campaign project to rescue all temples in the area and avoid what had previously happened with the Aswan Low Dam and the Temple of Philae. However, the importance of the monumental complex, formerly known as the Pearl of the Nile, remembered for the description by Pierre Loti in his literary work Mort de Philae, led to further commitment from UNESCO member countries, which launched an international competition to save the monuments of Philae.
Tombs--Egypt
Photograph of a tomb entrance with a person standing by the gated entrance, which is set into a rocky hillside.
View of the Nile across Island of Philae with boats.
Egypt-- Aswan Dam
Nile River
The island of Philae, submerged due to the completion of the Aswan Low Dam (Assouan Dam) - 1906. The Philae temple complex (/ˈfaɪliː/; Ancient Greek: Φιλαί or Φιλή and Πιλάχ, Arabic: فيلة Egyptian Arabic: [fiːlæ], Egyptian: p3-jw-rķ' or 'pA-jw-rq; Coptic: ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕ, ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕϩ,[ Coptic pronunciation: [ˈpilɑk, ˈpilɑkh]) is an island-based temple complex in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, downstream of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Egypt in Africa. Originally, the temple complex was located on Philae Island, near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile in Upper Egypt. These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902. With the construction of the modern dam in Aswan (1960–1970) a few kilometers upstream, this temple was going to face total flooding and was initially omitted from the Nubia Campaign project to rescue all temples in the area and avoid what had previously happened with the Aswan Low Dam and the Temple of Philae. However, the importance of the monumental complex, formerly known as the Pearl of the Nile, remembered for the description by Pierre Loti in his literary work Mort de Philae, led to further commitment from UNESCO member countries, which launched an international competition to save the monuments of Philae.
Canyons
Aerial view of the cliffs and canyons of Wadi en-Nar.
Egypt--Aswan Dam
Maps
Map of the Island of Philae, submerged due to the completion of the Aswan Low Dam (Assouan Dam) - 1906. The Philae temple complex (/ˈfaɪliː/; Ancient Greek: Φιλαί or Φιλή and Πιλάχ, Arabic: فيلة Egyptian Arabic: [fiːlæ], Egyptian: p3-jw-rķ' or 'pA-jw-rq; Coptic: ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕ, ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕϩ,[ Coptic pronunciation: [ˈpilɑk, ˈpilɑkh]) is an island-based temple complex in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, downstream of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Egypt in Africa. Originally, the temple complex was located on Philae Island, near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile in Upper Egypt. These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902. With the construction of the modern dam in Aswan (1960–1970) a few kilometers upstream, this temple was going to face total flooding and was initially omitted from the Nubia Campaign project to rescue all temples in the area and avoid what had previously happened with the Aswan Low Dam and the Temple of Philae. However, the importance of the monumental complex, formerly known as the Pearl of the Nile, remembered for the description by Pierre Loti in his literary work Mort de Philae, led to further commitment from UNESCO member countries, which launched an international competition to save the monuments of Philae.
Sarcophagus of Apis bull, Serapeum of Saqqara.
Sarcophagi
The Serapeum of Saqqara was the ancient Egyptian burial place for sacred bulls of the Apis cult at Memphis. It was believed that the bulls were incarnations of the god Ptah, which would become immortal after death as Osiris-Apis, a name which evolved to Serapis (Σέραπις) in the Hellenistic period, and Userhapi (ⲟⲩⲥⲉⲣϩⲁⲡⲓ) in Coptic. It is one of the animal catacombs in the Saqqara necropolis, which also contains the burial vaults of the mother cows of the Apis, the Iseum. Over a timespan of approximately 1400 years, from the New Kingdom of Egypt to the end of the Ptolemaic Period, at least sixty Apis are attested to have been interred at the Serapeum. For the earliest burials, isolated tombs were constructed. As the cult gained importance, underground galleries were dug that connected subsequent burial chambers. Above ground, the main temple enclosure was supplemented by shrines, workshops, housing and administrative quarters. From the Late Period onward, most Apis were buried in large sarcophagi, which weigh around 40 tonnes (88,000 lb) and have 25 t (55,000 lb) lids. They were moved with the help of winches, rollers and levers. To lower them into their final position the chambers were first filled with sand, which was then gradually removed. Only four of the 24 surviving sarcophagi are inscribed. The quality of the inscriptions varies, the ones of Amasis II were beautifully executed, whereas those on an anonymous sarcophagus were only crudely scratched on the polished surface. The Serapeum was closed in the beginning of the Roman period, after 30 BC. In the subsequent centuries large-scale looting took place. Many of the superstructures were dismantled, the burial vaults broken into, and most of the mummified Apis and their opulent burial goods removed. In 1850 Auguste Mariette rediscovered the Serapeum, and excavated it the following years. He found two undisturbed Apis burials, as well as thousands of objects related to centuries of cult activity. These included commemorative stela with dates relating to the life and death of the Apis and the construction of their burial vaults. This data was crucial for the establishment of an Egyptian chronology in the 19th century. The Greater Vaults of the Serapeum, known for the large sarcophagi of the mummified bulls, are accessible to visitors.
Tomb wall painting from the tomb of Baqet III at Beni Hasan.
Mural painting and decoration, Egyptian
Photograph of a tomb wall painting from the tomb of Baqet III at Beni Hasan depicting wrestling scenes.
Hypostyle Hall, Temple of Hathor, Dendera temple complex. European woman in foreground.
The Hypostyle Hall of the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, Egypt, is a magnificent Ptolemaic-era hall featuring a forest of colossal, intricately carved sandstone columns crowned with Hathor's face. Its vividly painted ceiling is adorned with celestial motifs, zodiac symbols, and hieroglyphs depicting gods and rituals, creating a breathtaking sacred atmosphere. This well-preserved hall showcases ancient Egyptian artistic skill, religious beliefs, and architectural ingenuity from the late Ptolemaic and Roman periods.
False door from the tomb of the ancient Egyptian official Metjetji on display in the Cairo Museum.
False door from the tomb of the ancient Egyptian official Metjetji displayed in the Cairo Museum. The inscriptions on the door include the deceased's name and titles, as well as offering formulas.
A bas-relief of figures with boats- possibly from the Temple of Dendur.
View of the River Nile, with boats and figures, Aswan.
A view of the River Nile, with boats and figures, Aswan.
Relief (Art)
Wall relief carving depicting scenes from daily life.
Hieroglyphics
Tomb wall painting from the Temple of Deir el-Medina.
Photograph of an ancient Egyptian tomb wall painting depicting a scene from the Temple of Deir el-Medina.
Egypt
The Temple of Dendur (Dendoor in the 19th century) is a Roman Egyptian religious structure originally located in Tuzis (later Dendur), Nubia about 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of modern Aswan. Around 23 BCE, Emperor Augustus commissioned the temple dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis and deified brothers Pedesi and Pihor from Nubia. In 1963, as part of the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia, UNESCO helped rescue and relocate the temple from flooding caused by the Aswan High Dam.[5] Egypt gave the temple to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, which has exhibited it since 1978. Petronius, the Roman governor of Egypt, built the Temple of Dendur at the request of Caesar Augustus, the emperor of Rome that included Egypt at that time. Originally named Octavian, Augustus became emperor after defeating Mark Antony and Egyptian Queen Cleopatra in 31 BCE. During his reign, Augustus had Egyptian-style temples built and dedicated to Egyptian gods and goddesses. However, he only commissioned a few temples in Nubia. One of those was the Temple of Dendur which he placed on the west bank of the Nile river in Tuzis (later Dendur, about 80 kilometres (50 mi) south of modern Aswan). Construction started in 23 BCE and finished in 10 BCE. Augustus used the temple to legitimize and maintain his rule.[2] Part of his strategy was connecting his name and image with Isis, the primary deity in Dendur, and the local cult of Pedesi and Pihor. It was more than a temple—it was also a home for the gods. When the local people visited the temple and brought traditional gifts of incense, wine, cold water, clothing, food, and milk, they nurtured their ruler, Augustus, and also ensured their community's prosperity. In the sixth century, Coptic Christians used the temple as a church. When Egypt increased the height of the Aswan Low Dam in 1933, the temple's proximity to the Nile was problematic. The temple complex began flooding for nine months each year.
Wall relief from an ancient Egyptian tomb.
Photograph of a wall relief from an ancient Egyptian tomb. The relief depicts scenes of daily life.
Postcard of the Island of Philae, Egypt flooded due to the construction of the Aswan Low Dam.
View of the Philae Temple complex from the south.
Bas-reliefs of Temple of Isis, Philae Temple Complex.
Bas-reliefs Temple of Isis, Philae Temple Complex. The Philae temple complex (/ˈfaɪliː/; Ancient Greek: Φιλαί or Φιλή and Πιλάχ, Arabic: فيلة Egyptian Arabic: [fiːlæ], Egyptian: p3-jw-rķ' or 'pA-jw-rq; Coptic: ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕ, ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕϩ,[ Coptic pronunciation: [ˈpilɑk, ˈpilɑkh]) is an island-based temple complex in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, downstream of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Egypt in Africa. Originally, the temple complex was located on Philae Island, near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile in Upper Egypt. These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902. With the construction of the modern dam in Aswan (1960–1970) a few kilometers upstream, this temple was going to face total flooding and was initially omitted from the Nubia Campaign project to rescue all temples in the area and avoid what had previously happened with the Aswan Low Dam and the Temple of Philae. However, the importance of the monumental complex, formerly known as the Pearl of the Nile, remembered for the description by Pierre Loti in his literary work Mort de Philae, led to further commitment from UNESCO member countries, which launched an international competition to save the monuments of Philae.
Gateway, colonnades and pylons of the Temple of Isis, Philae Temple complex, with Egyptian worker sitting in foreground.
Gateway, colonnades and pylons of the Temple of Isis, Philae Temple complex. The Philae temple complex (/ˈfaɪliː/; Ancient Greek: Φιλαί or Φιλή and Πιλάχ, Arabic: فيلة Egyptian Arabic: [fiːlæ], Egyptian: p3-jw-rķ' or 'pA-jw-rq; Coptic: ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕ, ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕϩ,[ Coptic pronunciation: [ˈpilɑk, ˈpilɑkh]) is an island-based temple complex in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, downstream of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Egypt in Africa. Originally, the temple complex was located on Philae Island, near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile in Upper Egypt. These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902. With the construction of the modern dam in Aswan (1960–1970) a few kilometers upstream, this temple was going to face total flooding and was initially omitted from the Nubia Campaign project to rescue all temples in the area and avoid what had previously happened with the Aswan Low Dam and the Temple of Philae. However, the importance of the monumental complex, formerly known as the Pearl of the Nile, remembered for the description by Pierre Loti in his literary work Mort de Philae, led to further commitment from UNESCO member countries, which launched an international competition to save the monuments of Philae.
Colonnade of the Temple of Isis, Philae temple complex.
Colonnade of the Temple of Isis, Philae temple complex. The Philae temple complex (/ˈfaɪliː/; Ancient Greek: Φιλαί or Φιλή and Πιλάχ, Arabic: فيلة Egyptian Arabic: [fiːlæ], Egyptian: p3-jw-rķ' or 'pA-jw-rq; Coptic: ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕ, ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕϩ,[ Coptic pronunciation: [ˈpilɑk, ˈpilɑkh]) is an island-based temple complex in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, downstream of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Egypt in Africa. Originally, the temple complex was located on Philae Island, near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile in Upper Egypt. These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902. With the construction of the modern dam in Aswan (1960–1970) a few kilometers upstream, this temple was going to face total flooding and was initially omitted from the Nubia Campaign project to rescue all temples in the area and avoid what had previously happened with the Aswan Low Dam and the Temple of Philae. However, the importance of the monumental complex, formerly known as the Pearl of the Nile, remembered for the description by Pierre Loti in his literary work Mort de Philae, led to further commitment from UNESCO member countries, which launched an international competition to save the monuments of Philae.
Excavated structure with a brick archway.
Photo of an excavated structure with a brick archway possibly leading underground.
Colonnade of the Great Court of the Temple of Isis with seated European woman. Temple of Philae complex.
Photograph of an ancient Egyptian artwork depicting scenes of daily life and activities along the Nile River.
The Temple of Edfu is an Egyptian temple located on the west bank of the Nile in Edfu, Upper Egypt. The city was known in the Hellenistic period in Koine Greek as Ἀπόλλωνος πόλις and in Latin as Apollonopolis Magna, after the chief god Horus, who was identified as Apollo under the interpretatio graeca.It is one of the best preserved shrines in Egypt. The temple was built in the Ptolemaic Kingdom between 237 and 57 BC. The inscriptions on its walls provide important information on language, myth and religion during the Hellenistic period in Egypt. In particular, the Temple's inscribed building texts "provide details [both] of its construction, and also preserve information about the mythical interpretation of this and all other temples as the Island of Creation."There are also "important scenes and inscriptions of the Sacred Drama which related the age-old conflict between Horus and Seth."They are translated by the Edfu-Project.
Photograph of rock-cut tombs at Qau el-Kebir. The image shows a view of the rock-cut tombs and the surrounding area, including a field in the foreground and a mountain range in the background.
Columns
Photograph of the interior of a tomb. The lower half of a round column is at the centre of the photograph.
Egyptian relief carving featuring hieroglyphs.
Carving (Decorative arts)
Photograph of an Egyptian relief carving featuring hieroglyphs.
Still limage.
Photograph of the interior of an ancient Egyptian tomb. The walls are covered in detailed paintings and hieroglyphics.
Mummies--Egypt
Photograph of a side profile of a mummy portraying the head and upper torso.
Mummy of Queen Tiye, the Great Royal Wife of the Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III.
Photograph of the Mummy of Queen Tiye, the Great Royal Wife of the Egyptian pharaoh Amenhotep III. A cloth partially covers her face and her hand rests on her chest.
Photograph of three mummies lying together including a child and two adults.
Photograph of an entrance to a tomb carved into a rock face. A figure is present in the doorway of the tomb.
Photograph of a modern gated entrance to a tomb. A padlock is visible on the gate. The gate is surrounded by stone.
Burial chamber of the Tomb of Ramesses V and Ramesses VI (KV9) in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt.
Photograph of the Burial chamber of the Tomb of Ramesses V and Ramesses VI (KV9) in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt. The walls of the tomb are decorated with scenes from various ancient Egyptian funerary texts.
Archaeological excavation at Gebelein, Egypt,
Excavations (Archaeology)--Egypt
Photograph of an archaeological excavation at Gebelein, Egypt, The image shows workers in a trench, with a walkway and walls visible, leading to the upper parts of a fortress. The tomb of Sheikh Musa is visible in the top section of the image.
Tomb of Tyti, Theban region, Valley of the Queens, QV 52.
Photograph of the entrance to the Tomb of Tyti, Theban region, Valley of the Queens, QV 52. A mural and false door is visible on the wall.
Photograph of a rocky, desert landscape. Two figures are present in the photograph.
False door from the mastaba tomb of Medunefer.
Photograph of a false door from the mastaba tomb of Medunefer. The door is surrounded by decorative carvings.
Photograph of a mural depicting scenes from everyday life in Ancient Egypt from the Mastaba-Tomb of Mereruka.
Relief from the Tomb of Mentuemhat depicting scenes of daily life.
Photograph of a wall painting from the Tomb of Menna, with scenes depicting his life.
Photograph depicting a full-length mummy.
Photograph of a mural on the wall of an Egyptian tomb. The mural depicts three male figures, one with a bow and arrow. Some animals are also shown.
Photograph of the interior of a tomb with faded murals on the stone walls.
Burial chamber of the Tomb of Ramesses V and VI (KV9) in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt.
Photograph of the burial chamber of the Tomb of Ramesses V and VI (KV9) in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt. The walls and ceilings are decorated with well-preserved painted sunk relief carvings depicting various funerary texts and astronomical scenes. Two Egyptian men stand beside a pillar to the left of the image.
Egyptian stone wall with hieroglyphs and a depiction of a figure.
Photograph of an Egyptian stone wall with hieroglyphs and a depiction of a figure. It is believed to be from the Temple of Edfu in Egypt, which is dedicated to the god Horus.
Excavations (Archaeology)
Photograph of Egyptian men working at an excavation site in Egypt. Two European men stand at the right of the image observing the work.
Photograph of the entrance to the burial chamber of the tomb of Khabekhnet (TT2) in the Theban Necropolis, Egypt.
Photograph of the head of the Mummy of Rameses II in side profile.
Map of the Nile River in Egypt, labeled "Region of New Race." The map is a historical artifact and appears to be from a book or publication. The map shows the Nile River and several ancient Egyptian place names along its banks, such as Abydos, Thebes, and Elephantine.
Rock-cut tombs at Qau el-Kebir and Hammamiya in Egypt.
Photograph of rock-cut tombs at Qau el-Kebir and Hammamiya in Egypt. The image captures the landscape and the mountain range where the tombs are carved into the rock face.
Burial (Geology)
Photograph of a predynastic grave at Naqada. Two skeletons are visible in the image.
Photograph of the mummified head of Ramses II in side profile.
Relief carving of the ancient Egyptian god Khepri and the sun god Ra
Detailed view of a relief carving depicting the ancient Egyptian god Khepri and the sun god Ra. The scarab beetle, on the left, is a representation of the god Khepri, who was associated with the rising sun and the concept of rebirth. The figure on the right, with the head of a ram, is a depiction of the sun god Ra, often shown with a solar disk on his head.
Decorated pottery jar from the Naqada II period of ancient Egypt (c. 3450–3330 BCE).
Vases, Egyptian
Photograph of a decorated pottery jar from the Naqada II period of ancient Egypt (c. 3450–3330 BCE). The motifs on the vase, such as the boat and the animals, are believed to represent the Egyptian desert and the Nile environment.
The image shows a timeline chart that categorizes human history into three periods: Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Historic.
Mountains
Antiquities
Photograph of objects from a predynastic tomb at Hu. The collection includes both human and animal figurines, such as hippopotami. These were often made from unbaked clay, pottery, bone, or ivory. Several combs with distinct shapes are visible, including one with a bird-like figure on top. A row of circular objects, possibly bracelets or rings, are shown in the middle of the image. The image also contains what appear to be small tools or objects, possibly made of stone or ivory.
Photograph of an entrance corridor to a tomb believed to be the Tomb of Ramesses IX (KV6) in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt.
Skeleton
Photograph of a human skeleton lying in the foetal position. A vessel is visible at the top left of the photo.
Collection of Predynastic Egyptian pottery.
Pottery, Egyptian
Photograph of six pieces of Predynastic Egyptian pottery. The vessels at the top of the picture feature geometric designs
Urns, Egyptian
Pottery
Photograph of five ancient ceramic pots. The two pots at the top of the image are similar in shape and feature a spiral or circular pattern. They have small handles on the sides. The pot on the far left of the bottom row is ovoid-shaped with wavy handles. The large pot in the center of the bottom row has a textured surface with what appears to be decorative patterns and handles. The pot on the far right of the bottom row is similar in shape to the one on the left, but is smaller and has simpler handles.
Hand-tinted colour view of Temple of Isis. Philae temple complex.
temple of Isis. The Philae temple complex (/ˈfaɪliː/; Ancient Greek: Φιλαί or Φιλή and Πιλάχ, Arabic: فيلة Egyptian Arabic: [fiːlæ], Egyptian: p3-jw-rķ' or 'pA-jw-rq; Coptic: ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕ, ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕϩ,[ Coptic pronunciation: [ˈpilɑk, ˈpilɑkh]) is an island-based temple complex in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, downstream of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Egypt in Africa. Originally, the temple complex was located on Philae Island, near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile in Upper Egypt. These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902. With the construction of the modern dam in Aswan (1960–1970) a few kilometers upstream, this temple was going to face total flooding and was initially omitted from the Nubia Campaign project to rescue all temples in the area and avoid what had previously happened with the Aswan Low Dam and the Temple of Philae. However, the importance of the monumental complex, formerly known as the Pearl of the Nile, remembered for the description by Pierre Loti in his literary work Mort de Philae, led to further commitment from UNESCO member countries, which launched an international competition to save the monuments of Philae.
Ruins of the Temple of Isis, Philae temple complex.
Temple of Isisi. The Philae temple complex (/ˈfaɪliː/; Ancient Greek: Φιλαί or Φιλή and Πιλάχ, Arabic: فيلة Egyptian Arabic: [fiːlæ], Egyptian: p3-jw-rķ' or 'pA-jw-rq; Coptic: ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕ, ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕϩ,[ Coptic pronunciation: [ˈpilɑk, ˈpilɑkh]) is an island-based temple complex in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, downstream of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Egypt in Africa. Originally, the temple complex was located on Philae Island, near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile in Upper Egypt. These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902. With the construction of the modern dam in Aswan (1960–1970) a few kilometers upstream, this temple was going to face total flooding and was initially omitted from the Nubia Campaign project to rescue all temples in the area and avoid what had previously happened with the Aswan Low Dam and the Temple of Philae. However, the importance of the monumental complex, formerly known as the Pearl of the Nile, remembered for the description by Pierre Loti in his literary work Mort de Philae, led to further commitment from UNESCO member countries, which launched an international competition to save the monuments of Philae.
Pylon of Temple of Isis. Philae temple complex.
Inscribed pylon, Temple of Isis, Philae temple complex.
Colonnade and pylons of the Temple of Isis, Philae temple complex. The Philae temple complex (/ˈfaɪliː/; Ancient Greek: Φιλαί or Φιλή and Πιλάχ, Arabic: فيلة Egyptian Arabic: [fiːlæ], Egyptian: p3-jw-rķ' or 'pA-jw-rq; Coptic: ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕ, ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲕϩ,[ Coptic pronunciation: [ˈpilɑk, ˈpilɑkh]) is an island-based temple complex in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, downstream of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Egypt in Africa. Originally, the temple complex was located on Philae Island, near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile in Upper Egypt. These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Aswan Low Dam in 1902. With the construction of the modern dam in Aswan (1960–1970) a few kilometers upstream, this temple was going to face total flooding and was initially omitted from the Nubia Campaign project to rescue all temples in the area and avoid what had previously happened with the Aswan Low Dam and the Temple of Philae. However, the importance of the monumental complex, formerly known as the Pearl of the Nile, remembered for the description by Pierre Loti in his literary work Mort de Philae, led to further commitment from UNESCO member countries, which launched an international competition to save the monuments of Philae.
Trajan's Kiosk or Pharaoh's Bed. Philae temple complex.
Trajan's Kiosk, also known as Pharaoh's Bed (Arabic: سرير فرعون) by the locals, is a hypaethral temple currently located on Agilkia Island in southern Egypt. The unfinished monument is attributed to Trajan, Roman emperor from 98 to 117 AD, due to his depiction as pharaoh seen on some of the interior reliefs. However, the majority of the structure dates to an earlier time, possibly to the reign of Augustus. The temple was originally built on the island of Philae, near the lower Aswan Dam, and served as main entrance to the Philae Island Temple Complex from the Nile river.It was relocated to Agilika Island in the 1960s as part of the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia to save it from the rising waters of the Nile that followed the construction of the Aswan High Dam.
Trajan's Kiosk or Pharaoh's Bed Philae temple complex.
View of Trajan's Kiosk or Pharaoh's Bed Philae temple complex.
Temple of Horus at Edfu: Facade of the Hypostyle Hall.
The Sanctuary, Temple of Horus at Edfu with Egyptian guide.
Hand-tinted colour image of the inscribed walls of the Temple of Horus at Edfu.
The Temple of Kom Ombo in the town of Kom Ombo in Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt. It was constructed during the Ptolemaic dynasty, 180–47 BC
View of Philae temple complex across the Nile.
The Temple of Kom Ombo in the town of Kom Ombo in Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt. It was constructed during the Ptolemaic dynasty, 180–47 BC.
Hand-tinted colour view of Aswan and the Nile with boats.
Hand-tinted colour view of Aswan from the Nile.
View across the Nile with figure in foreground.
A view across the Nile with a figure in the foreground.
The Temple of Shilac at Assouan (Aswan) Philae temple complex with European women and man and Egyptian guide.
Hand-tinted colour image of Philae temple complex.
A number of small white huts set up across Egyptian desert, with a long road visible in the background.
Egyptian men helping European woman down steep climb
Three Egyptian men in white clothing help a European woman in Edwardian outfit and hat climb down from a high location.
Print from an article depicting movement of obelisk
Obelisks
Part of an article depicting the movement of an obelisk. First published in Scientific American, Vol. 129, No. 1 (July 1923), p. 27 with the title 'Obelisk-Raising Explained: How the Ancient Egyptian Engineers Employed a Sloping Ramp and a Sand-Pit.' Original article also contained a depiction of the process at an alternate angle, a diagram of the raising of the obelisk, and text describing the process. The text mentions Cleopatra's Needle, the Lateran Obelisk in Rome, Italy, and an obelisk found in Assouan (Aswan), Egypt.
Obelisk-Raising Explained: How the Ancient Egyptian Engineers Employed a Sloping Ramp and a Sand-Pit (JSTOR) Obelisk-Raising Explained: How the Ancient Egyptian Engineers Employed a Sloping Ramp and a Sand-Pit (Scientific American)
Quarry in Egypt, likely one of the Aswan granite quarries. Granite from these quarries was used to build monuments such as obelisks, sarcophagi, and statues.
Four Egyptian children stand in shallow water on the Nile riverbank.
Circular aerial photography of the Nile River and surrounding desert landscape.
Two wooden structures or fences surrounded by trees.