The Eighteenth Dynasty Temple of Amada at Lake Nasser

Created by Virtual Mid East

The Temple of Amada is the oldest of the Lake Nasser temples in Nubia. The temple is located about 180 km south of the Aswan High Dam and is dedicated to Amun-Re and Re-Horakhty. It dates back to the 18^th dynasty: its core was built by Thutmose III and Amenhotep II, the pillared hall was a later addition by Thutmose IV. The temple’s original plan included a pylon, an open forecourt, and a portico that lead to the sanctuary. Thutmose IV roofed the forecourt and decorated it with offering scenes, with those involving Thutmose IV on the left, and Thutmose III and Amenhotep II on the right. The temple’s interior is decorated with finely cut painted reliefs, the decoration of the transverse hall including a coronation scene of Amenhotep II. In the innermost section of the temple Thutmose III and Amenhotep II are shown making offerings to and being embraced by various Egyptian gods. The cult rooms opening from the offering hall are dedicated to Amun-Re (north) and Re-Horakhty (south). During the reign of King Akhenaten, the images and name of the god Amun have been destroyed throughout the temple, but these were later restored by Seti I. Some minor restorations and additions were later carried out by Ramses II as well. 

The Temple of Amada contains two important historical inscriptions. The earliest dates to year 3 of Amenhotep II and was carved on a stela at the rear (eastern) wall of the sanctuary. It describes the king’s military campaign into Asia, and his bringing back the bodies of dead chiefs to be hanged on the walls of Thebes and Napata in Nubia. Another inscription carved into the thickness of the entrance doorway describes a Libyan invasion into Egypt and their defeat in year 4 of Merenptah. 

Between 1964 and 1975, after the construction of the Aswan High Dam, the temple was moved, together with the nearby Temple of Derr, to higher ground, some 2.5 km from its original location.

The 3D tour of the Temple of Amada  is presented through Matterport by Virtual Mid East, in cooperation with the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.