Plan and section of tomb K1 by John Garstang
Egypt, Ancient
Temples
Floor plans
Plan and section of tomb K1 in Beit Khallaf, Egypt, by John Garstang, British archaeologist.
Steele, Lawrence E.
Copyright RDS Library & Archives. Publication, transmission or display is prohibited without formal written approval of the RDS Library & Archives.
Still image
Deir el-Medina (Egyptian Arabic: دير المدينة), or Dayr al-Madīnah, is an ancient Egyptian workmen's village which was home to the artisans who worked on the tombs in the Valley of the Kings during the 18th to 20th Dynasties of the New Kingdom of Egypt (ca. 1550–1080 BC). The settlement's ancient name was Set maat ("Place of Truth"), and the workmen who lived there were called "Servants in the Place of Truth". During the Christian era, the temple of Hathor was converted into a Monastery of Saint Isidorus the Martyr (Coptic: ⲡⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲙ̄ⲫⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲓⲥⲓⲇⲱⲣⲟⲥ ⲡⲙⲁⲣⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ) from which the Egyptian Arabic name Deir el-Medina ("Monastery of the City") is derived. At the time when the world's press was concentrating on Howard Carter's discovery of the Tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922, a team led by Bernard Bruyère began to excavate the site.This work has resulted in one of the most thoroughly documented accounts of community life in the ancient world that spans almost four hundred years. There is no comparable site in which the organisation, social interactions, working and living conditions of a community can be studied in such detail. The site is located on the west bank of the Nile, across the river from modern-day Luxor. The village is laid out in a small natural amphitheatre, within easy walking distance of the Valley of the Kings to the north, funerary temples to the east and south-east, with the Valley of the Queens to the west. The village may have been built apart from the wider population in order to preserve secrecy in view of sensitive nature of the work carried out in the tombs. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Obelisks
Luxor Obelisk in Place de la Concorde, Paris, France.
Diagram of theorised method for raising obelisks
Drawings
Engelbach, Reginald, 1888-1946.
Steps 4-6 of a diagram depicting Reginald Engelbach's theorised method by which Ancient Egyptians may have raised obelisks, as detailed in 'The Problem of the Obelisks' (1923) by Reginald Engelbach.
Hypostyle Hall, Hathor Temple, Dendera Temple complex.
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.
The capitals of the portico, Temple of Khnum, Esna.
The temple of Khnum at Esna also known as the temple of Esna, dedicated to the god Khnum, his consorts Menhit and Nebtu, their son, Heka, and the goddess Neith, was remarkable for the beauty of its site and the magnificence of its architecture. The Temple of Esna conveys a sense of the importance which the Ancient Egyptians placed upon their places of worship. All Egyptians who entered the confines of an Egyptian temple were required "to comply with the strict rules regarding ritual purity."
Tetradrachm (coin) depicting Mark Anthony.
Coins
Cleopatra, Queen of Egypt, -30 B.C
Sculpture
Cleopatra (69–30 BCE) was queen of Egypt when the Roman Empire was gradually expanding into the wealthy eastern Mediterranean. By allying herself first with the powerful Roman generals Julius Caesar (100–44 BCE) and then Mark Antony (83–30 BCE), she hoped to maintain her country’s independence and her own authority. The political alliance between Antony and Cleopatra worried Caesar’s heir, Octavian, who, in 31 BCE, defeated the couple in a sea battle. Rather than suffer the humiliation of surrender, Cleopatra and Antony killed themselves.
There are several famous busts associated with Cleopatra VII, including a marble bust in Berlin's Altes Museum showing her in royal Ptolemaic style, and a granite bust in Toronto's Royal Ontario Museum, discovered near her sunken palace in Alexandria. Other possible busts are in the British Museum and have been found at ancient sites in Egypt, though some recent discoveries' identifications remain debated by experts.
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.
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.
Boats
Drawing of an Ancient Egyptian obelisk ship transporting an obelisk on the Nile, with smaller rowed boats following behind.
The unfinished obelisk in the granite quarries of Aswan, Egypt, as seen from north. Platform and quarry-face of pink granite quarry in the background. Obelisk possibly commissioned by Hatshepsut. Photo by Imp. Catala Frères and first published in 'The Aswan Obelisk with Some Remarks on the Ancient Engineering' (1922) by Reginald Engelbach.
Beato, Antoine, 1830-1903.
Obelisks erected by Thutmose I (right) and Hatshepsut (left). Photo taken circa 1860 by Antoine Beato (1830-1903), Italian-British photographer known for his photography of Egypt and the Mediterranean, and his commercial production of Oriental images on a large scale.
Pyramids
Egypt
Egyptian desert and view of the Bent Pyramid, Red Pyramid, and a third pyramid.
Tombs
Mastaba tomb K1 at Beit Khallaf, Egypt. Mastaba K1 is the largest of the 3rd Dynasty mastaba tombs and was named by British archaeologist John Garstang.
Abydos (Egypt : Extinct city)
Group of men stand on top of Shunet El Zebib, Abydos, Egypt. Shunet El Zebib was built circa 2700 BCE in the 2nd Dynasty and was used as a Ka-house (funerary enclosure) for Pharoah Khasekhemwy.
View of Egyptian desert with stone wall covered in sand in the foreground.
The Bent Pyramid at the royal necropolis of Dashur, Egypt. Three figures in dark clothing stand and sit in the foreground, and one figure leading a donkey or horse is further back. The Bent Pyramid was built during the 4th Dynasty under the rule of Pharaoh Sneferu.
Two sarcophagi on display in the Cairo Museum.
Sarcophagi
Mummies
Two Sarcophagi displayed in the Cairo Museum.
Egyptian desert and view of three pyramids.
Great Hypostyle Hall and obelisks, Karnak
The Great Hypostyle Hall and Third and Fourth Pylon in the Precinct of Amun-Re in the Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor. The standing and fallen obelisks of Hatshepsut (Obelisk E and F) and the Obelisk of Thutmose I are visible.
Annals of Thutmose III, inscriptions at Karnak
Relief (Art)
The Annals of Thumose III, hieroglyphic inscriptions concerning Thutmose III's armies and military campaigns in the 18th Dynasty. The inscriptions are located on the walls of two halls behind the 6th Pylon in the Precinct of Amun-Re, Karnak Temple Complex, Luxor, Egypt. Photo first published in 'The Problem of the Obelisks' (1923) by English Egyptologist Reginald Engelbach.
Egyptian man with unfinished sarcophagus, Aswan
An Egyptian man in dark galibya and white headdress stands behind the "unfinished sarcophagus" in the Aswan granite quarry, now believed to be an unfinished bath from the Roman period.
The Great Pyramid of Giza with several buildings at the base of it.
Great Pyramid of Giza and Great Sphinx of Giza
Sphinxes (Mythology) in art
The Great Pyramid of Giza and the Great Sphinx of Giza, covered in sand up to the shoulders.
Statues
Diorite statue of King Khafre (Kefren) located in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, Egypt.
The ruins of various structures and walls, mostly buried under sand and rocks.
The three Pyramids of Queens, the Pyramid of Menkaure, the Great Pyramid (Pyramid of Khafre), and Pyramid of Khufu (from closest to furthest). A man with a camel stands in the foreground.
Print of casing stones on the Great Pyramid of Giza
Print of Howard Vyse's casing stones and masonry courses in the Great Pyramid and Pyramid of Khafre (2nd Pyramid). Prints read (clockwise from top left): Howard Vyse's casing stones in situ at the north foot of the Great Pyramid, from his and Perring's large plate XIV. Masonry courses, backing stones and casing stones, 2nd pyramid, near the upper part of S. East and from photograph by C. Piazzi Smyth, 1865. Vertical Section of masonry courses backing stones, and casing stones on the North Stone Pyramid of [Daskeen] Howard Vyse and Perring. Large Plate XIV. Vertical Section of Howard Vyse's casing-stone, backing, and the masonry courses, at North foot of the Great Pyramid. Howard Vyse's casing stones and pavement remains.
Two wooden structures or fences surrounded by trees.
Nile River
Circular aerial photography of the Nile River and surrounding desert landscape.
Four Egyptian children stand in shallow water on the Nile riverbank.
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.
Print from an article depicting movement of obelisk
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)
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.
A number of small white huts set up across Egyptian desert, with a long road visible in the background.
Hand-tinted colour image of Philae temple complex.
The Temple of Shilac at Assouan (Aswan) Philae temple complex with European women and man and Egyptian guide.
View across the Nile with figure in foreground.
A view across the Nile with a figure in the foreground.
Hand-tinted colour view of Aswan and the Nile with boats.
Egypt--Aswan Dam
Hand-tinted colour view of Aswan from 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.
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 image of the inscribed walls of the Temple of Horus at Edfu.
The Sanctuary, Temple of Horus at Edfu with Egyptian guide.
Temple of Horus at Edfu: Facade of the Hypostyle Hall.
View of 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.
Trajan's Kiosk or Pharaoh's Bed. 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.
Pylon of Temple of Isis. Philae temple complex.
Inscribed pylon, Temple of Isis, Philae temple complex.
Still image.
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.
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.
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.
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
Tombs--Egypt
Skeleton
Photograph of a human skeleton lying in the foetal position. A vessel is visible at the top left of the photo.
Photograph of an entrance corridor to a tomb believed to be the Tomb of Ramesses IX (KV6) in the Valley of the Kings, Egypt.
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.
Mummies--Egypt
Mountains
The image shows a timeline chart that categorizes human history into three periods: Paleolithic, Neolithic, and Historic.
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.
Relief carving of the ancient Egyptian god Khepri and the sun god Ra
Carving (Decorative arts)
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.
Photograph of the mummified head of Ramses II in side profile.
Burial (Geology)
Photograph of a predynastic grave at Naqada. Two skeletons are visible in the image.
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.
Maps
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.
Photograph of the head of the Mummy of Rameses II in side profile.
Photograph of the entrance to the burial chamber of the tomb of Khabekhnet (TT2) in the Theban Necropolis, Egypt.
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.
Egyptian stone wall with hieroglyphs and a depiction of a figure.
Hieroglyphics
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.
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.
Photograph of the interior of a tomb with faded murals on the stone walls.
Mural painting and decoration, Egyptian
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 depicting a full-length mummy.
Photograph of a wall painting from the Tomb of Menna, with scenes depicting his life.
Relief from the Tomb of Mentuemhat depicting scenes of daily life.
Photograph of a mural depicting scenes from everyday life in Ancient Egypt from the Mastaba-Tomb of Mereruka.
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 rocky, desert landscape. Two figures are present in the photograph.
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.
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.
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.
Photograph of a modern gated entrance to a tomb. A padlock is visible on the gate. The gate is surrounded by stone.
Photograph of an entrance to a tomb carved into a rock face. A figure is present in the doorway of the tomb.
Photograph of three mummies lying together including a child and two adults.
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 a side profile of a mummy portraying the head and upper torso.
Photograph of the interior of an ancient Egyptian tomb. The walls are covered in detailed paintings and hieroglyphics.