| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 The facade of Amada temple | |
| Location | New Amada, Egypt |
| Part of | Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae |
| Criteria | Cultural: (i)(iii)(vi) |
| Reference | 88 |
| Inscription | 1979 (3rd Session) |
The Temple of Amada, is one of the oldest Egyptian Temples in Nubia. It was constructed during the 18th Dynasty (c. 1550–1295 BC) by Pharaoh Thutmose III. It is one of the oldest Egyptian buildings still present along Lake Nasser. In total, three generations contributed to building the temple (Thutmose III, Amenhotep II, and Thutmose IV). Minor modifications continued into the 19th Dynsaty (1295–1186 BC). The temple was dedicated to Amun-Ra and Horakhty-Ra.[1]
During the Amarna period, Akhenaten had the name Amun destroyed throughout the temple but this was later restored by Seti I of Egypt's 19th Dynasty.[2] Various 19th Dynasty pharaohs, especially Seti I and Ramesses II, also "carried out minor restorations and added to the temple's decoration."[3] The stelas of the Viceroys of Kush Setau, Heqanakht and Messuy and that of Chancellor Bay describe their building activities under Ramesses II, Merneptah and Siptah respectively.[2] In the medieval period the temple was converted into a church.
As part of the International Campaign to Save the Monuments of Nubia, along with Abu Simbel, Philae and other Nubian archaeological sites, Amada was relocated in the 1960s and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979.[4] Over the years, the Amada Temple has undergone extensive restoration and preservation efforts to protect its invaluable heritage. [5]
- ^ Lorna Oakes, Pyramids, Temples and Tombs of Ancient Egypt: An Illustrated Atlas of the Land of the Pharaohs, Hermes House:Anness Publishing Ltd, 2003. p.204
- ^ a b Oakes, p.205
- ^ John Baines & Jaromír Málek, Atlas of Ancient Egypt, Facts on File Publications New York, 1982. p.182
- ^ "Nubian Monuments from Abu Simbel to Philae". UNESCO World Heritage Centre. United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. Retrieved 7 September 2021.
- ^ "Amada Temple". Egypt Travel Gate. Retrieved 2024-10-08.