Living Large

The Karnak Temple is the most important and archaeological site in Kemet. It is the largest temple complex ever constructed with Amun as the central figure of the temple and is referred to as Ipet Resyt (the southern private chambers). The prominent local divinities of Karnak were Montu and Amun. We saw the sandstone columns and still painted ceilings of Hypostle Hall, the Kiosk of Taharqa, Hatshepsut’s obelisk, the Sacred Lake, and the Festival Temple of Djehutymes III. One of the most impressive things I found about the Karnak Temple besides the fact that it took about 31 people to make a full circle around one of the columns, was the sphinx-lined processional way that stretched to the Luxor Temple.

As usual, in order to further enhance our general knowledge, we took a detour to the White Chapel. The White Chapel was built by Senwosret I and is also known as the world’s first university. The beautiful and tragic thing about the White Chapel is that many people are unaware of its existence. Because of this, they are missing out on the legacy and history. It is in this quaint, little building that students learned astronomy and theology and how they are but one science rather than two which is used as direction for their daily lives. At this temple, I was blessed with an out of body experience as Dr. Carr performed a libation. There is nothing that can compare to or describe the thoughts and feelings I had that makes me even more thankful and appreciative of having the opportunity to have this experience.

The Luxor Temple is dedicated to Amun Re. It is referred to as the southern Opet (place of seclusion). At this temple, we got to see first hand the greatest example of these modern day crooks participating in one of their favorite activities-restoration of the temple. (ie. the desecration of the original work in attempts to make it look pretty and the way it might have originally looked in the ancient times.) Personally, I do not see why they find restoration to be necessary because it takes away from the natural, personal affect the original Egyptian works give. In my opinion, they should be allowed to age without interruption.