Temple of Kalabsha

The Temple of Kalabsha (also Temple of Mandulis) is a Ancient Egyptian temple that was originally located at Bab al-Kalabsha (Gate of Kalabsha), approximately 50 kilometers south of Aswan. [Lorna Oakes, Pyramids and Tombs of Ancient Egypt: An Illustrated Atlas of the Land of the Pharaohs, Hermes House:Anness Publishing Ltd, 2003. p.208] The temple was situated on the west bank of the Nile River, in Nubia and was originally built around 30 BC during the early Roman era. While the temple was constructed in Augustus's reign, it was never finished. [Rosalie David, Discovering Ancient Egypt, Facts on File, 1993. p.103] The temple was a tribute to Mandulis (Merul), a Lower Nubian sun god. It was constructed over an earlier sanctuary of Amenhotep II. [David, op. cit., p.103] The temple is 76 meters long and 22 meters wide in dimension. [cite news | url=http://weekly.ahram.org.eg/2002/590/hr1.htm |title=New Kalabsha at Aswan |date=June 13, 2002 |publisher=Al-Ahram Weekly] While the structure dates to the Roman period, it features many fine reliefs such as "a fine carving of Horus emerging from reeds on the inner curtain wall" of the temple. [Christine Hobson, Exploring the World of the Pharaohs: A Complete Guide to Ancient Egypt, Thames & Hudson 1993 paperback, p.185] From Kalabsha's "sanctuary chambers, a staircase leads up to the roof of the temple" where one can see a splendid view of the temple itself and the sacred lake. [Hobson, op. cit., p.185] Several historical records were inscribed on the temple walls of Kalabsha such as "a long inscription carved by the Roman Governor Aurelius Besarion in AD 250, forbidding pigs in the temple" as well as an inscription of "the Nubian king Silko, carved during the 5th century and recording his victory over the Blemmyes and a picture of him dressed as a Roman soldier on horseback." [Hobson, op. cit., p.185] Silko was the Christian king of the Nubian kingdom of Nobatia. [Oakes, op. cit., p.209]

Later use and movement of the temples

When Christianity was introduced to Egypt, the temple was used as a church.cite book |author=Kamil, Jill |title=Upper Egypt and Nubia: The Antiquities from Amarna to Abu Simbel |publisher=Egyptian International Publishing Company |date=1996 |pages=pp. 141-143]

With help from Germany, the temple of Kalabsha was relocated after the Aswan High Dam was built, to protect it from rising waters on Lake Nasser. The temple was moved to a site, located just south of the Aswan High Dam. The process of moving the temple took more than two years. The temple of Kalabsha was the largest free-standing temple of Egyptian Nubia (after Abu Simbel) to be moved and erected at a new site. [Christine Hobson, Exploring the World of the Pharaohs, Thames & Hudson Ltd., 1997. p.177] Its design was standard for the Ptolemaic period with pylons, courtyard, hypostyle hall and three room sanctuaries. [ [http://www.touregypt.net/kalabsha.htm Kalabsha Temple] ] Although the building was never completed, it "is regarded as one of the best examples of Egyptian architecture in Nubia." [Oakes, op. cit., p.208]

References

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