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New Kingdom Egypt:

 

Tutmosis III. This Stele displays a typical rendition of the New Kingdom Egyptian pharaoh as an eternally young, invincible warrior, c. 1460 BC.

Hypostyle Hall, Temple of Karnak, New Kingdom Egypt, c. 1575-1086.

View of the Temple of Amon-Re at Karnak: The Temple of Amon-Re at Karnak was rebuilt during the New Kingdom. Like most of the New Kingdom temples, it was enclosed by a massive fortification wall to present a fortress-like appearance. First pylon built to create an imposing facade along with the erection of towering obelisks. Colossal statues of Thutmose I flanked approach to temple. The New Kingdom Pharaoh Seti I (1291-1279) constructed a large hypostyle hall at Karnak 335 ft wide, 174 ft long, consisting of 124 gigantic columns. The central columns stood 75ft tall and were designed with open papyrus flower capitals measuring 50 ft in circumference. Along the sides of the central colonnade stood 122 slightly shorter columns with closed bud capitals. The reliefs here are generally regarded among the best in Egypt. Additional temples for Mut and Montu were situated nearby and a grand avenue of sphinxes lined the procession way from Karnak to Luxor.

 

       

Actual State and Virtual Reconstruction of Hypostyle Hall at Karnak.

 

 

Views of the Temple of Amon-Re at Luxor

 

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Bearded Bust of Pharaoh Hatshepsut (1479-1458 BC), illustrated by John Smith; at right, Her Mortuary Temple at Dier El Bahri, Photo by Ryan Childe

Abu Simbel – The architectural feat of Ramses II at Abu Simbel Two temples were  carved directly out of the sandstone mountains. Facade of great temple is like a large recessed pylon with four gigantic seated images of Ramses II, 65 ft tall. Its chambers extend some 200 feet into the mountain, ending in a sanctuary with statues of four deities cut out of the rock. Twice a year, Feb. 21 and Oct, 21, the rising sun came directly through the entrance and bathed three of the statues in light -- Ramses II, Amon and Re-Horakhty. The fourth god, Ptah, god of darkness and underworld, remained in shadow.