KARNAK TEMPLE

The Karnak Temple Complex, commonly known as Karnak from Arabic, Khurnak meaning "fortified village", comprises a vast mix of decayed temples, chapel, pylons, and other buildings near Luxor, in Egypt. Construction at the complex began during the reign of Senusret I in the Middle Kingdom and continued into the Ptolemic period, although most of the extant buildings date from the New Kingdom.

Karnak is an ancient Egyptian temple precinct located on the east bank of the Nile River in Thebes (Luxor today). It covers more than 100 hectares, an area larger than some ancient cities.

The Egyptians believed that towards the end of annual agricultural cycle the gods and the earth became exhausted and required a fresh input of energy from the chaotic energy of the cosmos.

To accomplish this magical regeneration the Opet festival was held yearly at Karnak and Luxor. It lasted for 27 days and was also a celebration of the link between pharaoh and the god Amun. The procession began at Karnak and ended at Luxor Temple, one and a half miles to the south.

OBELISK AT KARNAK TEMPLE

Construction at Karnak started by 4000 years ago and continued up until the time the Romans took control of Egypt, about 2,000 years ago. Each Egyptian ruler who worked at Karnak left his or her own architectural mark. The UCLA Digital Karnak project has reconstructed and modeled these changes online. Their model shows a bewildering array of temples, chapels, gateway shaped "pylons", among many other buildings, that were gradually built, torn down and modified over more than 2,000 years.

WHY IS THE TEMPLE AT KARNAK SO FAMOUS?

Cult temple dedicated to Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. The largest religious building ever constructed. The temple of Karnak was known as Ipet-isu or "most select of places"-by the ancient Egyptians. The great temple at the heart of Karnak is so big that St. Peter's, Milan, and Notre Dame Cathedrals would fit within its walls.

WHO BUILT THE KARNAK TEMPLE?

RAMESSES III

Built by Ramesses III, a king who reigned from 1186 to 1155 BC, the temple is about 230 feet by 88 feet.

GREAT PYRAMID OF GIZA

       

         The Great Pyramid of Giza also known as the Pyramid of Khufu or the Pyramid of Cheops is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex bordering present-day Giza in Greater Cairo, Egypt. It is the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, and the only one to remain largely intact.

        All three of Giza's famed pyramids and their elaborate burial complexes were built during a frenetic period of construction, from roughly 2550 to 2490 BC. The pyramids were built by Pharaohs Khufu, Khafreand, and Menkaure.

The Giza Pyramids, built to endure an eternity, have done just that. The monumental tombs are relics of Egypt's Old Kingdom era and were constructed some 4,500 years ago.

Egypt's pharaohs expected to become gods in the afterlife. To prepare for the next world they erected temples to the gods and massive pyramids tombs for themselves-filled with all the things each ruler would need to guide and sustain himself in the next world.

Tomb art includes depictions of ancient farmers working their fields and tending livestock, fishing and fowling, carpentry, costumes, religious ritual, and burial practices.

In 1925, a pit tomb containing the transferred burial equipment of Khufu's mother, Queen Hetepheres, was discovered near the upper end of the causeway of Khufu. At the bottom of a deep stone-filled shaft was found the queen's empty sarcophagus, surrounded by furniture and articles of jewelry attesting to the high artistic ability and technical perfection of the 4th dynasty craftsmen.

STAIRWAY TO TOMB CENTER

The pyramid of Giza, along with the Sphinx and a handful of smaller tombs, form one of the most iconic sights in the world. If you have plans to visit Egypt, then most likely these pyramids are at the top of your list.

MUMMIFICATION PROCESS OF ANCIENT EGYPT

 

    1. First, wash the dead body in wine and Nile water. Make a cut in the side and take out the organs. To get to the brain, shove a hook up the nose and jiggle it about. Then pull it out and chuck it away.

WHY DID KING TUTANKHAMUN DIED?

       The River Nile is considered Egypt's lifeblood. It's a fertile strip of cool green in a hot desert country. Half an hours drive away and the landscape turns lunar desolate unearthy. The valley of the  Kings and the treasures are out of sight. Perhaps most mysterious is tomb 62. The burial chamber of Egypt's youngest pharaoh, King Tutankhamun, the only royal tomb to be found full of priceless artifacts. He lived around three and half thousand years ago. But it was only 82 years ago that he was discovered by British archaeologist Howard Carter. Since then, there's been speculation why the boy king died so young. Speculation that he was murdered for his crown. It's one of the most enduring mysteries of all time. 

       But Dr. Zahi Hawass says the pharaoh secrets have finally been revealed. The discovery of his tomb in 1922, he was captivated us. He was found with more than 5000 treasures giving the modern world and enchanting glimpse into an incredibly wealthy and sophisticated ancient civilization. Through the use of modern technology, CT scan helped to reveal the mysteries. They collected 1700 3D images in 30 minutes to virtually bring back to life. He was 19 only 5 foot and 6 tall or 168cm. And it's like he was in pain from an impacted wisdom tooth. But beyond that he was healthy. The theory has been one of the political intrigue that this boy who controversially became pharaoh at 9 was murdered by a blow to the head. The CT scan proved the theory wrong. If not murdered and disease what and why so suddenly. Again, the CT scan pinpoints the most likely cause of his death was an accident, King Tuts left leg was broken, allowing an infection to take hold and kill him. King Tut was a sportsman. He enjoyed wine and beer and loved his wife Arkana Samon.

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