Temple of Khonsu

Temple of Khonsu
Temple of Khonsu is located in Egypt
Temple of Khonsu
Shown within Egypt
LocationLuxor, Egypt
TypeTemple
Part ofKarnak
History
BuilderRamesses III
MaterialSandstone, granite
PeriodsTwentieth Dynasty of Egypt
Entrance to the Temple of Khonsu (Gateway of Ptolemy III)

The Temple of Khonsu is an ancient Egyptian temple. It is located within the large Precinct of Amun-Re at Karnak, in Luxor, Egypt.[1] The edifice is an example of an almost complete New Kingdom temple, and was originally constructed by Ramesses III on the site of an earlier temple.[2] The gateway of this temple is at the end of the avenue of sphinxes that ran to the Luxor Temple. In Ptolemaic times, Ptolemy III Euergetes constructed a great gateway and enclosure wall for the temple; only the gateway now remains (see below). Inscriptions inside the forecourt of the temple were made in the time of Herihor.

The hypostyle hall was erected by Nectanebo I and is not of great size; inside were found two baboons that appear to have been carved in the time of Seti I. It probably belonged to the earlier building on the site.

Numerous blocks with unmatched and inverted decorations can be seen, showing the amount of reconstruction and reuse of material from the surrounding temple complexes, especially in Ptolemaic times.

From 2006 to 2018, the American Research Center in Egypt performed conservation work.[3]

  1. ^ "Khonsu Temple | American Research Center In Egypt". www.arce.org. Retrieved 2022-02-04.
  2. ^ "Khonsu Temple | Whizzed Net". www.whizzed.net. 5 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-03-11.
  3. ^ "Conservation Field School at the Temple of Khonsu | American Research Center In Egypt". www.arce.org. Retrieved 2022-02-04.