Abu Simbel

From ArchaeoWiki

Abu Simbel (Arabic: أبو سنبل or أبو سمبل) is an archaeological site comprising twin large Nineteenth Dynasty rock-cut temples of Ramesses II and his chief consort Nefertari in present-day southern Egypt, now close to the border with Sudan on the western shore of Lake Nasser, some 290 km south of Aswan.

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The Smaller Temple

A smaller, though still extensive temple immediately to the north of the main temple was carved from the cliff face and dedicated to the chief wife of Ramesses II, Nefertari, and to the goddess Hathor. As was the case with the main temple, for the smaller sanctuary the cliff face was carved back in order to take the apparent form of a grand entrance with gently sloping walls. Decorating and dominating the apparent pylon are six colossal standing figures of Ramesses II and Nefertari, each approximately 10 m (33 feet) high, including crown and/or headdress (it should be noted that the actual figures of the king stand a good head taller than those of his queen). The figures are arranged three to each side of the central doorway entrance, two figures of the queen flanked on either side by those of the king. Each of the larger figures is cut from the rock, together with far smaller standing figures of the royal family (coming to just above knee height).

Within the temple proper, the layout is both far smaller and simpler than that of the main temple. The entrance opens onto a single pillared hall of 6 square columns, arranged two across and three down—the columns feature carved Hathor faces on their sides facing the central corridor. Three entrances lead from the hall into a small, short but wide vestibule, with twin small rooms at either end. The final component is the sanctuary itself, of rather restricted size—it is apparent from gaps left on the side walls of the sanctuary that side rooms were intended but never cut.

The sanctuary features several images relating to the royal couple and the gods.

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