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What are two facts about Abu Simbel?
Top 10 Facts about Abu Simbel Temple
- Construction of the temples began in the 13th century.
- Abu Simbel temple was dedicated to the sun gods.
- It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Queen Nefertari was King Ramses II favourite wife.
- The Abu Simbel temple was relocated.
- It was forgotten until the 19th century.
What is inside Abu Simbel?
Built in 1244 B.C., Abu Simbel contains two temples, carved into a mountainside. The larger of the two temples contains four colossal statues of a seated pharaoh Ramesses II (1303-1213 B.C.) at its entrance, each about 69 feet (21 meters) tall.
Why is the Abu Simbel interesting?
1. The Abu Simbel Temple is actually two individual temples, both rock cut structures, and both built during the reign of King Ramses II sometime in the 1200 B.C. time period. One temple is dedicated to King Ramses II, and the second temple is dedicated to his beloved wife Queen Nefertari.
What happened to Abu Simbel?
The blocks were placed on the ground by cranes, and then moved into their exact position by hydraulic lifts. Once the last piece of the temples was put into place, it was time to re-construct the surrounding area exactly the way it had been.
Why is Abu Simbel important to Egypt’s history?
The Small Temple is also notable in that it is the second time in ancient Egyptian history that a ruler dedicated a temple to his wife (the first time being the Pharaoh Akhenaton, 1353-1336 BCE, who dedicated a temple to his queen Nefertiti).
What was the most amazing thing about the temple of Abu Simbel?
The carvings and artwork that decorate both structures of the Abu Simbel Temple are incredible. Hand carved pillars, wall paintings, carvings, statues, and much more delight anyone who sees them. This artwork is thousands of years old, and very delicate.
Why is it named Abu Simbel?
The name Abu Simbel, or Abu Sunbul in Modern Standard Arabic, is itself a derivative of the ancient place name Ipsambul. In the New Kingdom period, the region in which the temple was built may have been called Meha, but this is not certain.
What is the origin of Abu Simbel?
Abu Simbel is an ancient temple complex, originally cut into a solid rock cliff, in southern Egypt and located at the second cataract of the Nile River. The two temples which comprise the site were created during the reign of Ramesses II (c. 1279 – c. 1213 BCE) either between 1264 – 1244 BCE or 1244-1224 BCE.
Who could become Pharaoh?
Sometimes women became the rulers and were called Pharaoh, but it was generally men. The son of the current Pharaoh would inherit the title and would often go through training, so he could be a good leader. Historians divide up the timeline of Ancient Egyptian history by the dynasties of the Pharaohs.
What is Abu Simbel famous for?
Abu Simbel is best known for its two magnificent temples that were originally carved out of solid rock on a mountainside way back in the 13th century BC. An UNESCO World Heritage Site, they are known as the Nubian Monuments and dedicated to the great deities of the day Ra-Horakhty or Horus, Ptah and Amun.
Whose temple is found at Abu Simbel?
About the temple of Abu Simbel: The most astonishing temple of ancient Egypt, the Temples of Abu Simbel, constructed by Ramses II in the 13th century BC is considered by many travellers spending their vacation in Egypt to be a breathtaking historical site.
How far is Abu Simbel from Cairo?
Distance between Cairo (CAI) and Abu Simbel (ABS) Distance from Cairo International Airport to Abu Simbel Airport is 533 miles / 858 kilometers / 464 nautical miles.
What is Abu Simbel made out of?
Abu Simbel is actually two giant temples made out of rocks and present in the Nubia, the southern region of Egypt.