Abu Simbel

Today, I went out to Abu Simbel which is outside of Asswan, further South in Egypt. These are 2 massive temples built by Ramses II- the larger which he built for himself, and the sun god, and the smaller which he dedicated to his wife, Neferterri. I actually took video to really show you all, but as I just don't have the bandwidth to get it uploaded for you all, for now pictures will have to do. With any luck, I will find somewhere soon that I can get that video up, too!

Ramses built these temples, on the then-boarder of Nubian land, after he had defeted them in battle as a sort of warning. A marker that said "I am watching you." Considering all but the Pharoahs and Kings of the time would have lived in tents or extremely simple dwellings, I'd say this was a fairly impossing warning! 

Not only is the sheer size of these temples impressive, having been carved directly into the hills that they sit in, but the engeneiring is absolutely unbelievable. The main temple was built in a way that the sun comes in through the door and strikes all the way back to the 4 statues at the very back only 2 times a year; October 21st, which was Ramses' birthday, and February 21st, his corronation day! Even more impressive is that the 4th statue, situated on the far left, is the god of darkness. This statue somehow never has light that ever touches anything more than the side of it's arm!!!!

Both temples had to be moved, piece by piece several years ago after the Asswan damn was built and the area where they were flooded. Painstakingly, archeologists and experts broke apart and reassembled not only the temples, but even the hills that they are in and moved them 65 meters back!! However, with all the knowledge and modern technology that we have, they were never able to get them as precise again. The sunlight now comes in a full day later each time of the year- October 22nd and February 22nd. 

The temples are wonderful on the outside, but their true wonder is inside. The walls and ceilings are carved with scenes and hieroglyphics everywhere. You can even see some of the paint on the walls!!! I had no idea that that could be seen anywhere here! Sadly, you aren't allowed to take pictures inside the temples at all.

For Neferterri's temple, looking at the statues I originally thought that the largest statues were either representative of the gods, or were Ramses and Neferterri, then the smaller were either their children (Or If the largest had been the gods, then smaller would then be Ramses and Neferterri and so on). However...Ramses wasn't quite that generous to the Queen. All 4 of the male statues are of him, and 80% of the scenes and writing inside is also dedicated to him. I suppose if you commision the temple though....  The paint that was visible is the most present in this temple, especially on the back side of the colums that are in the interior. I assume this is largely attributed to the smaller entrance way. 

Ok...so.... You REALLY aren't supposed to take pictures inside the temples. And no, it has nothing to do with destroying them with the flash or anything. They want you to buy the pictures in the books and postcards that they're selling. However, I did attempt to take some shots... and would have gotten away with it, too if it weren't for that pesky guard and his dog (Ok. Kidding about the dog). 

I knew I should have popped the lens cap back on once I got a few shots, but I didn't and the guard looked at me sidelong as I came out of one room. I may have been almost arrested.....(Hi, Mom!) Pulled a seriously girly move and started to almost cry, appologizing profusely and saying to just let me delete the pictures. He at first insisted that he was taking me to the police (They are outside of all the temples) and took my camera away, but eventually my pitiful pleading left me with having to delete all but this picture and having to take the battery out. *Phew!!!* I did learn my lesson though.... no more pictures for you guys that I'm not supposed to take. Sorry! This one IS pretty cool though. : )