Egypt: Temple Restored 2,000 Years after Its Destruction

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced on Thursday the launch of a restoration project for the famous Ramesseum temple, built by Pharaoh Ramses II in Luxor Governorate.

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In an official statement, the ministry confirmed that the Supreme Council of Antiquities would oversee the restoration in collaboration with Korea National University of Cultural Heritage.

Egyptian Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, praised the project, which aims to preserve and revive one of Egypt’s most significant temples, while also opening new tourist attractions in Luxor. This initiative seeks to enhance the experience of both Egyptian and foreign visitors, particularly those interested in cultural tourism.

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During an inspection visit, Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, explained that the project aims to dismantle, restore, and reassemble the blocks of the temple’s first pylon. This will involve scientific documentation of the area, including architectural surveys, photography, and archaeological excavations to locate missing stone blocks that were once part of the structure. A comprehensive database will also be created to record and document these blocks in detail.

The Secretary-General added that the project also seeks to understand the construction techniques used by ancient Egyptians, analyze the inscriptions on the pylon, and compare them with similar ones in other temples. Once the blocks are stabilized and restored, they will be returned to their original positions to reconstruct the pylon.

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Meanwhile, Dr. Abdel Ghaffar Wagdy, Director General of Luxor Antiquities, announced that the mission had begun scientific excavations. Several archaeological test pits were conducted around the first pylon, revealing the pylon’s original foundations as well as stone foundations of the outer wall of the temple’s first courtyard. Additionally, several carved stone blocks depicting the pylon’s facade were uncovered, documented, and recorded. An architectural study was also initiated to determine the methods for dismantling, restoring, and reinstalling the blocks.

The Ramesseum temple was commissioned by Pharaoh Ramses II in honor of the god Amun-Ra. The ancient Egyptians referred to it as “The Unified with Waset”, meaning “Unified with Thebes”, but French Egyptologist Jean-François Champollion later gave it its modern name, “Ramesseum”.

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The statement highlighted that although the temple is now largely in ruins due to an earthquake that struck Egypt in 27 BC, its remains stand as a testament to its former grandeur and the significance of Ramses II among Egypt’s great rulers.

Finally, it was noted that the temple was once surrounded by a massive mudbrick enclosure. It measured 180 meters in length and 66 meters in width and featured a depiction of one of Ramses II’s most famous battles, the Battle of Kadesh.

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