The
archaeological complex of Abu Simbel comprises
two massive rock temples in southern Egypt,
on the western bank of Lake Nasser, some
290 km southwest of Aswan. It is part
of the Nubian Monuments UNESCO World Heritage
Site, which runs from Abu Simbel downriver
as far as Philae (near Aswan). The twin
temples were carved out of the mountainside
under the rule of Pharaoh Ramesses II
in the 13th century BC to intimidate his
Nubian neighbors and as a lasting monument
to himself and his queen Nefertari, commemorating
his alleged victory at the Battle of Kadesh.
The complex, one of Egypt's top tourist
attractions, was moved in the 1960s to
avoid being submerged by the artificial
Lake Nasser.
Although
both the Hittites and the Egyptians claimed
victory in the Battle of Kadesh, Ramesses
II is represented as victorious on the
walls of the greater temple of Abu Simbel.Construction
of the temple complex started in approximately
1284 BC and lasted for circa 30 years,
until 1264 BC. Known as the "Temple
of Ramesses, beloved by Amun", it
was one of six rock temples erected in
Nubia during the long reign of Ramesses.
Their purpose was to impress Egypt's southern
neighbours, and to reinforce the status
of Egyptian religion in the region. With
the passing of time, the temples became
covered by sand. Already in the 6th century
BC, the sand covered the statues of the
main temple up to their knees. The temple
was forgotten until 1813, when Swiss orientalist
JL Burckhardt found the top frieze of
the main temple.
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