Temple of Derr in Nubia

The Temple of Derr, and many others in Nubia, was dismantled in 1964 to escape the waters of Lake Nasser. Was transferred to a new location near the Temple of Amada from its original location on the eastern bank of the River Nile a few kilometers to the south. This is another example of the temples of Ramses II carved in the rock, which was built during the years of his reign to 30 to celebrate the festival with a dam. This temple is similar in many respects to his style speos other effects of Nubia, including Abu Simbel. The ancient Egyptians called the "Temple of Ramses in the House of Representatives, of Ra."
But, unlike many famous temples in Nubia, which is built on what appears first as a manifestation of his power, and often in remote areas where the real priestly activities took place, was built in the appearance of this more populated area. In fact, in his travels in Nubia, Amelia Edwards tells us that the city, which was originally the capital of Nubia at the time of your visit. However, in view of the temples are relatively small and well-known run oil is hard to believe that any society, Derr real community, a prosperous when the temple was built.
According to the latest rock-carved temples of Nubia, and some ornaments of the temple have been lost because of its use as a church by early Christians. However, a series of scenes still exist, including one representing a procession of children who suffer from girls on one side of the temple and children on the other hand, a subject that is often used by Ramses II. Which preserved the inscriptions, painting is intense in many cases.
There is nothing left of the tower, which must be stood in front of the Temple, or Temple Square may have been approached. All that remains of the temple which was cut into the abyss, and now consists mainly of two rear pillars and shrines, and are all geared towards the north and south. We know that all rooms in the most box. In the first step of its kind in the rocks, but perhaps through the use of building materials to the tile roof, and measures about fifteen by twelve feet, and three rows of four columns. The third row consists of columns Osiride dedicated to Ramses II, which is larger than others. This is the object model in many temples in Nubia, but in this case the agreement does not conform with the usual, when the columns and statues adjacent to the main axis of the temple, but before entering. In this first room. Scenes in low relief on the side walls on the issues of war, while in the back wall there are scenes of triumph.
The second chamber is the center of the temple, and measures twelve of thirteen feet and five meters. It contains six columns mounted on the conical projection of the architrave and surmounted by a cross. Here, was the implementation of the plan-making, sculpture, relief work is not very accurate. The roof is covered with plaster and painted with a number of eagles along the central axis. Along the top of the walls of the cobra frieze, alternating with the real cartridge of Ramses II. Low walls, scenes from a religious motivation, such as the events of Ramses II, and purification, and the receipt of the crust. Other scenes show Shu, Tefnut and Montu. On both sides of the pillars is a representation of the Pharaoh and the deities, including the write - Hekau, Menhit, Ptah and Amun-Re.


Within the patterns, Amelia Edwards in her "thousand miles above the Nile," he says to us:
"But most of all - more interesting because more rare - carved palm tree while leaning against the king making an offering to Amun-Re. Torso is given with the health of developing countries, and branches, although formal, elegant and correct the curvature. Tree is more than just dependency, have been made with reference to the history of crops that are a wealth of the region, but has no sacred significance, not only reveal the natural state of treatment. and, of course, is unusual in the art of this period, when traditional Persea, and equal to traditional Lotus almost floral, and that only appear on the walls of temples.


In the second column hall leads to three chapels. And most important of these shrines, which were designed to contain the sacred boat, as evidenced by the assurances of the priests carrying the boat on the walls, which contain a series of statues of Ptah, Amun-Re, Ramesses II and Re - Horakhty.