Exploring the Secret Behind the Tombs and Temples of Southern Egypt

One of the last surviving ancient world wonders, the Pyramids of Giza, might be the most popular tourist attraction in Egypt. Farther up the Nile, however, the temples and tombs of Southern Egypt have their very own complex labyrinth of secrets that lie in wait, ready to be unraveled. Whether it is Luxor (the largest open-air museum in the world) or Karnak (touted as the Vatican of its day), the entire stretch along the Nile up to Aswan, invites tourists from across the world to uncover the long-withheld mysteries and secrets of this ancient civilisation, which is also known as Umm Al Dunya (or Mother of the World.)

Luxor Temple

An excavated avenue, studded with sphinxes leads to the magnificent Luxor Temple. This ancient Egyptian architectural marvel is anchored by a couple of humongous statues of Ramses II, who was one of most influential pharaoh rulers of ancient Egypt. The Luxor Temple is situated right in the middle of the ancient capital city of Thebes and has been one of the most popular places of worship since 13th century BC when it was constructed. Originally built to idolize and honor the pharaohs and ancient gods, the Temple’s structure also features traces of modern-day religions. Within the structure of the Luxor Temple, you can also find the foundations of the Abu El Haggag Mosque. That said, there are a number of faded Early Christian era paintings, tucked further away in the Temple complex and precariously plastered over the hieroglyphics.

Karnak

The largest temple complex in Egypt, Karnak covers more than 2 sq.km of the area. To put things into perspective, the complex can easily stuff at least ten cathedrals. No wonder, it was the Vatican of its day. Nevertheless, the temple complex features a number of timeworn houses, temples, and a sacred pool that was once the site of offerings and sacrifices to the Gods. The most popular tourist attraction here is the gargantuan Temple of Amun-Ra. According to historians, this temple was considered to be the ‘home’ of the king of Gods, who was also the father of the Pharaoh. Additionally, this temple also features several 10m-tall, hieroglyphic-covered columns that depict the ancient’s wisdom. You might be surprised to know that Karnak was constructed, modified, razed, and rebuilt by as many as 30 pharaohs over a span of 1500 years.

Valley of the Kings

During the ancient period when pharaohs ruled the region, it was a common belief that River Nile’s west bank, where the setting sun lit up the desert landscape, was the home of the dead. Likewise, the east bank was seen as the home of the living. Therefore, the hills west of the Luxor Temple were the site of the largest pharaonic necropolis in Egypt, otherwise known as the Valley of the Kings. While the tombs look quite plain from the outside, these seemingly simple rock-carved entryways are some of the best art depictions of the ancient world that still exist. Until now, more than 60 tombs have been excavated in the Valley of the Kings, however, only a section comprising 15 tombs are available to the general public.

Among the most popular tourist attractions here, the recently reopened Tomb of Seti I (closed since 1991) is an example of ancient Egypt’s immaculate architectural acumen. Not only is this 137m-long tomb, the most complete and deepest in the Valley of the Kings, it is also the only tomb to feature paintings all over the passageways. That said, the entire tomb has depictions of the night sky along with vivid scenes that portray Seti I together with the Gods. The passageways and the domed ceiling in the Seti I tomb also feature passages from the ancient funerary texts including the Book of the Dead.