Adventure Gallery >>> Egypt >>> Karnak Temple <<< photo 01 >>>

This is the first photo that I took at Karnak. The woman in the bottom left portion of the photo was part of our small American group. The individual wearing the green jacket ahead of her is our illustrious guide, Elia.

This photo was taken within a close vicinity of the dry canal that once lead to the River Nile. A boat or barge could easily make its way down the canal to this very spot to load or unload passengers. During the return trip of the Opet Procession Ritual, the pharaoh and dignitaries would return to this spot after their short travel to Luxor Temple and back.

In this photo, we see the south side portion of the impressive first pylon and grand entrance of Karnak Temple. The three vertical slots may have either supported statues like pylon of Luxor Temple, or may have been a place where tall flag poles may have stood. Placed directly in front of the pylon are two rows of identical ram-headed sphinxes. These rams are a representation of the god Amen-Re who was not only the local god of this region but was considered the supsreme god of all of Egypt.