Jonathan Kieran

I had long known about the ongoing restoration and preservation work taking place at the majestic remnants of the temple at Esna in Southern Egypt, but news that the glorious astrological ceiling of its famous hypostyle hall (all that remains of the temple) is refurbished at last is a real thrill. Kudos to the archaeologists who have painstaking maintained this work for many years, along with the hieroglyphic documentation project. We learn more and more about the intricacies and nuances of ancient Egyptian religious tradition with each year as these experts wield their formidable brains in the name of research.

The temple at Esna is particularly interesting because it is (or was) essentially the primary temple site at the northern end of that ancient province—in some ways a “companion temple” to the temple of the creator god, Khnum-Re, on Elephantine Island near the First Cataract further south in the province. This northern sanctuary was also dedicated to Khnum-Re and a bevy of other deities in his local orbit (Neith, Nebtu’u, Heka, etc.) but each temple possessed its own peculiar theological system connected to the wider Egyptian tradition. As usual, this temple at Esna was dedicated to Khnum’s role as originator of agriculture via the bountiful flood, which was believed by some ancients to emanate from the mystical caverns the First Cataract region itself, though we know far better, now.

The wheelings and dealings of the stars and constellations were part of all this fecundity and annual meeting of the earthly and the divine, which is why the astronomical ceiling at Esna—still vibrant with its Roman Period coloration—is a particularly superb rediscovery. Let’s hope the renewal brings greater focus to Esna as an important tourist stop among Egypt’s other glorious showcases; the site has been comparatively neglected in that regard.

Have a look at an article about the completion of the restoration work.

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[Jonathan is busy writing and illustrating and finishing a whole slew of projects in preparation for upcoming major releases. Don’t expect a helluva lot of bloggin’ to get done unless something really strikes his fancy. Be patient. Marvelous things are on the way.]

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