Karnak

Location

Egypt. Between Thebes and Luxor.

Related Pages
 

Egyptian astronomy

Oracle centres
Orientation and Alignment
Ancient construction techniques
Ancient Egypt
 

 

 

View Photo Gallery

 Index of Ancient Sites

A-Z Site Index
Karnak - (The temple of Amon-Ra).
 
Description - The work of several Pharaohs and dedicated to Amon-Ra, the site consists of huge temples, a forest of columns and avenues of sphinxes. An ancient obelisk still stands and is said to weigh approximately 323 tons with a height of 29 metres. The majority of the complex was built around 1,500 BC. although Lockyer dated it astronomically as having a foundation date of 3,700 BC.

 

  
Chronology - Sir Norman Lockyer calculated a date of 3,700 BC. based on the alignment of the temple of Amen-Ra in relation to the solstice sun-set. The orientation was determined from  change in amplitude.
For those interested, here is a quote from Lockyer:
 
'Taking the orientation as 26°, and taking hills and refraction into consideration, we find that the true horizon sunset amplitude would be 27° 30'. This amplitude gives us for Thebes, a declination of 24° 18'.
This was the obliquity of the eclipse in the year 3,700 B.C., and is therefore the date of the foundation of the shrine to Amen-Ra at Karnak..' (1).
 
 

 

It has been noted that both Carnac, France and Karnak, Egypt contain rows of hundreds of 'pillars'.

 

The similarity stops there though.

 

ar

These pillars were covered with both lintels and hieroglyphs.

 

 

There are two styles of pillar...'Papyrus' and 'Lotus'.

 

Rows of sphinx's line the entrance to the temple of Amon-Ra, both inside and out. They are mostly Ram-headed.

 

The blocks of the temple were laid with 'metal - ties' similar to those found at Giza, Dashur, Denderra and Tiahuananco, In South America. (Click here for more)

 
Alignments - Lockyer was very particular about the orientation of the temple of Amen-Ra, which dominates Karnak, and was found to align with the summer solstice sunrise.
 

Mythology - Herodotus mentions that the temple of Amon-Ra was an Egyptian 'Earth Navel' from which doves were sent by the priests to other sacred sites such as Delphi and Dodona, both oracle centres with some curious ancient connections to Egypt. This subject was extensively researched by Livvio Stecchini, Peter Tompkins and Robert Temple, all of which have published research on the subject, the conclusions of which suggest that ancient Egypt was operating a system of temple placement according to longitude and latitude.

 

This page is still

Under Construction.

Thank you for your patience

 

References:

1). J. N. Lockyer. The Dawn of Astronomy. 1964, M.I.T Press.