TEMPLE OF HORUS, EDFU
- Of all the temples of ancient Egypt, the one at Edfu is the most complete and best preserved. The reason is that the temple had been totally submerged under the desert except for the very top of the pylon entrance. A small amount of stone had been removed from the exposed part, but when excavated it was found to be in near
perfect condition.
On the undersurface of the main archway into the temple are six sets of winged images, each with slightly different attributes. The Winged Sun Disc is thought to
have originated from the corona effect of a solar eclipse which can give the appearance of wings. As the Sun had such powerful significance to the ancient Egyptians, this apparition would have held great symbolism for them.
The temple is dedicated to Horus and was built in the Ptolemaic period. At the entrance to the
inner temple stands a magnificent black marble statue of the god. The Hypostyle hall is both imposing and impressive because of its size and condition. An impressive feature of the temple is that nearly every surface is covered by carvings and hieroglyphics, some of which were defaced by Christians as they considered the images to be pagan.
This temple is unusual in that it is on the west bank of the river which was normally dedicated to the afterlife. It is thought that redirection of the river some time after construction of the temple is responsible for this.
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| The brightly coloured market just outside the entrance to Edfu Temple |
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The Pylons and main entrance to the well preserved Temple at Edfu |
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| Detail of the Main Entrance showing statues of Horus and the large wall carvings |
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The six sets of winged images on the underside of the main archway |
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| The front of the Temple showing the two Statues of Horus |
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The passageway between the Inner and Outer Temple in deep shade showing the walls covered in Hieroglyphs |
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| A view of the first courtyard just inside the main entrance |
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The first courtyard with entrance which leads to the hypostyle hall |
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| The impressive and powerful columns of the hypostyle hall |
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Huge 35ft carvings which decorate the North wall of the Temple at Edfu |
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| The black granite statue of the God Horus to whom Edfu Temple is dedicated |
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An example of the Hieroglyphics which totally cover all the surfaces of Edfu Temple! |
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| A further example of the carving on the outside of the Temple |
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