In collaboration with a French archaeological mission, Egypt’s Ministry of Antiquities is developing the area around Dendera Temple north of Luxor into an open-air museum.
Mostafa Waziri, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, said that nine stone blocks have been set up to serve as mounts for engraved blocks, stelae and statues uncovered in the area and left in situ since their initial discovery.
The newly fabricated blocks have been placed in the open courtyard on the eastern side of the temple’s entrance. Among the statues displayed on these blocks are those of the goddess Hathor, the god Bes, and the falcon god Nekhbet Waawet.
Dendera Temple, one of the best-preserved ancient Egyptian temples, was built by the Greek Ptolomies who ruled Egypt in 305BC – 30BC. The Romans who succeeded them in ruling Egypt added to the temple which was completed under the Emperor Tiberius around 155AD.
Dendera temple was dedicated to Hathor, the Egyptian goddess of sexuality and maternal care. It contained the traditional birth house, the mammisi, which was later converted into a church in the fifth century.
The temple of Dendera was excavated by French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette in the mid-19th century.
Watani International
22 January 2019