Abu Simbel's solar alignment and 1960s relocation to save it from Lake Nasser. Temple stretches more than 200 ft into the mountain, lined with Osiride pillars Originally painted in deep red, blue, yellow, emerald green, and white pigments Eight colossal statues of Ramesses II as Osiris, over 30 ft tall
Built 3,000+ years ago, Abu Simbel's temple stretches 200+ ft into a mountain, guarded by eight 30+ ft statues of Ramesses II as Osiris. Twice yearly (~Feb 22 & Oct 22), sunlight penetrates 200 ft to illuminate three of four statues. In the 1960s, it was cut into 1,000+ blocks and lifted 200 ft to escape Lake Nasser.
Key Facts
- Temple stretches more than 200 ft into the mountain, lined with Osiride pillars
- Originally painted in deep red, blue, yellow, emerald green, and white pigments
- Eight colossal statues of Ramesses II as Osiris, over 30 ft tall
- Built more than 3,000 years ago (13th century BC)
- Solar alignment occurs twice yearly (~Feb 22 and Oct 22), sun penetrates 200 ft to illuminate statues of Ramesses II, Amun-Ra, and Ra-Horakhti while Ptah stays in darkness
- Temple was cut into more than 1,000 massive blocks (some over 30 tons) and relocated about 200 ft during the 1960s Aswan High Dam rescue
Source: How Ancient Egypt's Megastructures Actually Looked Like by Universe Inside You