Temple of Hathor at Denderah
Archaeology » Heritage sites» Temple of Hathor at Denderah
Location
Luxor,Qina

Country
Egypt

Year of Research
1962

Culture
  • Situated in Northern Upper Egypt, this city was a significant administrative capital from the end of the Old Kingdom to the end of the Middle Kingdom, and according to legend, was the site of a battle between the god Horus and the evil god Seth.
  • Although some of the finds there were very old, counting catacombs of sacred animals, the mass its archaeological ruins date from the Roman era.
  • Certainly the most remarkable structure is the temple of Hathor,originally built much earlier but reworked and devoted to the reign of Tiberius Caesar (14-37 CE).
  • It features columns bearing the face of Hathor, as well as dedications of Cleopatra and her son Caesareon; frequent astrological and astronomical charts are engraved in the walls and ceilings as well. When Napoleon visited the area he found an entire Arab village living inside the temple; evidence of their fires can still be seen on some of the ceilings.