Location 

Philae is currently an island in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, downstream of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Egypt.

Philae was originally located near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile River in southern Egypt, and was the site of an Ancient Egyptian temple complex.

These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Old Aswan Dam in 1902.

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The temple complex was later dismantled and relocated to nearby Agilkia Island as part of the UNESCO Nubia Campaign project, protecting this and other complexes before the 1970 completion of the Aswan High Dam.

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 Pharaonic era 

The oldest still-standing temple structures derive from the reign of Nectanebo I is
- A gate of the Late Period temple complex of Isis was integrated into the first pylon of the Ptolemaic Isis Temple
- a kiosk, restored under Ptolemy II, was reerected in the southwest corner of the island, presumably in the time between Ptolemy VIII and Ptolemy XII.
In addition, a small number of reused blocks dating to Nectanebo I’s reign have been detected.

The first temple structure, which was built by native pharaohs of the thirtieth dynasty, was the one for Hathor.

 Greco-Roman era 

At least two-thirds of the temple buildings were constructed and decorated during the Ptolemaic era.
Most of the remaining third derives from the time of Augustus to Nero. There was also a Meroitic contribution to the sanctuaries of Philae by Arkamani (Ergamenes) II, when Ptolemaic control of Upper Egypt was temporarily lost in the late third and early second century BCE

The principal deity of the temple complex was Isis, but other temples and shrines were dedicated to other deities such as Hathor, Harendotesm and the Nubian god Arensnuphis

Egyptologists believe that Philae was the last active site of the native Egyptian religion, and that the last Egyptian hieroglyph was written there in the late 4th century AD.

The temple was closed down officially in the 6th century AD by the Byzantine emperor Justinian (527-565 AD).

Philae was a seat of the Christian religion as well as of the ancient Egyptian faith. Ruins of a Christian church have been discovered, and more than one adytum bore traces of having been made to serve at different eras the purposes of a chapel of Osiris and of Christ.

 Location 

Philae is currently an island in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, downstream of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Egypt.

Philae was originally located near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile River in southern Egypt, and was the site of an Ancient Egyptian temple complex.

These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Old Aswan Dam in 1902.

---

The temple complex was later dismantled and relocated to nearby Agilkia Island as part of the UNESCO Nubia Campaign project, protecting this and other complexes before the 1970 completion of the Aswan High Dam.

---

---

 Pharaonic era 

The oldest still-standing temple structures derive from the reign of Nectanebo I is
- A gate of the Late Period temple complex of Isis was integrated into the first pylon of the Ptolemaic Isis Temple
- a kiosk, restored under Ptolemy II, was reerected in the southwest corner of the island, presumably in the time between Ptolemy VIII and Ptolemy XII.
In addition, a small number of reused blocks dating to Nectanebo I’s reign have been detected.

The first temple structure, which was built by native pharaohs of the thirtieth dynasty, was the one for Hathor.

 Greco-Roman era 

At least two-thirds of the temple buildings were constructed and decorated during the Ptolemaic era.
Most of the remaining third derives from the time of Augustus to Nero. There was also a Meroitic contribution to the sanctuaries of Philae by Arkamani (Ergamenes) II, when Ptolemaic control of Upper Egypt was temporarily lost in the late third and early second century BCE

The principal deity of the temple complex was Isis, but other temples and shrines were dedicated to other deities such as Hathor, Harendotesm and the Nubian god Arensnuphis

Egyptologists believe that Philae was the last active site of the native Egyptian religion, and that the last Egyptian hieroglyph was written there in the late 4th century AD.

The temple was closed down officially in the 6th century AD by the Byzantine emperor Justinian (527-565 AD).

Philae was a seat of the Christian religion as well as of the ancient Egyptian faith. Ruins of a Christian church have been discovered, and more than one adytum bore traces of having been made to serve at different eras the purposes of a chapel of Osiris and of Christ.

 Location 

Philae is currently an island in the reservoir of the Aswan Low Dam, downstream of the Aswan Dam and Lake Nasser, Egypt.

Philae was originally located near the expansive First Cataract of the Nile River in southern Egypt, and was the site of an Ancient Egyptian temple complex.

These rapids and the surrounding area have been variously flooded since the initial construction of the Old Aswan Dam in 1902.

---

The temple complex was later dismantled and relocated to nearby Agilkia Island as part of the UNESCO Nubia Campaign project, protecting this and other complexes before the 1970 completion of the Aswan High Dam.

---

---

 Pharaonic era 

The oldest still-standing temple structures derive from the reign of Nectanebo I is
- A gate of the Late Period temple complex of Isis was integrated into the first pylon of the Ptolemaic Isis Temple
- a kiosk, restored under Ptolemy II, was reerected in the southwest corner of the island, presumably in the time between Ptolemy VIII and Ptolemy XII.
In addition, a small number of reused blocks dating to Nectanebo I’s reign have been detected.

The first temple structure, which was built by native pharaohs of the thirtieth dynasty, was the one for Hathor.

 Greco-Roman era 

At least two-thirds of the temple buildings were constructed and decorated during the Ptolemaic era.
Most of the remaining third derives from the time of Augustus to Nero. There was also a Meroitic contribution to the sanctuaries of Philae by Arkamani (Ergamenes) II, when Ptolemaic control of Upper Egypt was temporarily lost in the late third and early second century BCE

The principal deity of the temple complex was Isis, but other temples and shrines were dedicated to other deities such as Hathor, Harendotesm and the Nubian god Arensnuphis

Egyptologists believe that Philae was the last active site of the native Egyptian religion, and that the last Egyptian hieroglyph was written there in the late 4th century AD.

The temple was closed down officially in the 6th century AD by the Byzantine emperor Justinian (527-565 AD).

Philae was a seat of the Christian religion as well as of the ancient Egyptian faith. Ruins of a Christian church have been discovered, and more than one adytum bore traces of having been made to serve at different eras the purposes of a chapel of Osiris and of Christ.

The most conspicuous feature of both islands was their architectural wealth. Monuments of various eras, extending from the Pharaohs to the Caesars, ccupy nearly their whole area. The principal structures, however, lay at the south end of the smaller island.

The most ancient was a temple for Isis, built in the reign of Nectanebo I during 380-362 BC, which was approached from the river through a double colonnade. Nekhtnebef is his nomen and he became the founding pharaoh of the thirtieth and last dynasty of native rulers when he deposed and killed Nefaarud II. Isis was the goddess to whom the initial buildings were dedicated.

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In front of the propylon were two colossal lions in granite, behind which stood a pair of obelisks, each 13 metres (43 ft) high. The propylon were pyramidal in form and colossal in dimensions. One stood between the dromos and pronaos, another between the pronaos and the portico, while a smaller one led into the sekos or adytum. At each corner of the adytum stood a monolithic shrine, the cage of a sacred hawk. Of these shrines one is now in the Louvre, the other in the Museum at Florence.

---

---

The most conspicuous feature of both islands was their architectural wealth. Monuments of various eras, extending from the Pharaohs to the Caesars, occupy nearly their whole area. The principal structures, however, lay at the south end of the smaller island.

The most ancient was a temple for Isis, built in the reign of Nectanebo I during 380-362 BC, which was approached from the river through a double colonnade. Nekhtnebef is his nomen and he became the founding pharaoh of the thirtieth and last dynasty of native rulers when he deposed and killed Nefaarud II. Isis was the goddess to whom the initial buildings were dedicated.

---

In front of the propylon were two colossal lions in granite, behind which stood a pair of obelisks, each 13 metres (43 ft) high. The propylon were pyramidal in form and colossal in dimensions. One stood between the dromos and pronaos, another between the pronaos and the portico, while a smaller one led into the sekos or adytum. At each corner of the adytum stood a monolithic shrine, the cage of a sacred hawk. Of these shrines one is now in the Louvre, the other in the Museum at Florence.

---

---

The most conspicuous feature of both islands was their architectural wealth. Monuments of various eras, extending from the Pharaohs to the Caesars, occupy nearly their whole area. The principal structures, however, lay at the south end of the smaller island.

The most ancient was a temple for Isis, built in the reign of Nectanebo I during 380-362 BC, which was approached from the river through a double colonnade. Nekhtnebef is his nomen and he became the founding pharaoh of the thirtieth and last dynasty of native rulers when he deposed and killed Nefaarud II. Isis was the goddess to whom the initial buildings were dedicated.

---

In front of the propylon were two colossal lions in granite, behind which stood a pair of obelisks, each 13 metres (43 ft) high. The propylon were pyramidal in form and colossal in dimensions. One stood between the dromos and pronaos, another between the pronaos and the portico, while a smaller one led into the sekos or adytum. At each corner of the adytum stood a monolithic shrine, the cage of a sacred hawk. Of these shrines one is now in the Louvre, the other in the Museum at Florence.

---

---

The most conspicuous feature of both islands was their architectural wealth. Monuments of various eras, extending from the Pharaohs to the Caesars, occupy nearly their whole area. The principal structures, however, lay at the south end of the smaller island.

The most ancient was a temple for Isis, built in the reign of Nectanebo I during 380-362 BC, which was approached from the river through a double colonnade. Nekhtnebef is his nomen and he became the founding pharaoh of the thirtieth and last dynasty of native rulers when he deposed and killed Nefaarud II. Isis was the goddess to whom the initial buildings were dedicated.

---

In front of the propylon were two colossal lions in granite, behind which stood a pair of obelisks, each 13 metres (43 ft) high. The propylon were pyramidal in form and colossal in dimensions. One stood between the dromos and pronaos, another between the pronaos and the portico, while a smaller one led into the sekos or adytum. At each corner of the adytum stood a monolithic shrine, the cage of a sacred hawk. Of these shrines one is now in the Louvre, the other in the Museum at Florence.

---

---

Isis , Nephtys, Osiris and set were the four children of Geb (earth) and Nut (sky) who in turns are children of Shu (Air) and tefnut (moisture or water) who are all originated from the self creating god Atum who is often associated with Ra.

All of these Deities form the “The Helioploitan Ennead” which is one of the core principles of ancient Egyptian religion.

---

Isis is the protective goddess, the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus and Since each pharaoh was considered the 'living Horus', Isis was very important across the ancient Egyptian history. As she protected the pharaohs of Egypt across the dynasties.

The Book of the Dead describes her as ”She who gives birth to heaven and earth, knows the orphan, knows the widow, seeks justice for the poor, and shelter for the weak”

---

---

 The Osiris myth 

The Osiris myth is the most elaborate and influential story in ancient Egyptian mythology. It concerns the murder of the god Osiris, a primeval king of Egypt, and its consequences. Osiris's murderer, his brother Set, usurps his throne.

Meanwhile, Osiris's wife Isis restores her husband's body, allowing him to posthumously conceive a son with her.

The remainder of the story focuses on Horus, the product of the union of Isis and Osiris, who is at first a vulnerable child protected by his mother and then becomes Set's rival for the throne.

Their often violent conflict ends with Horus's triumph, which restores order to Egypt after Set's unrighteous reign and completes the process of Osiris's resurrection.

The myth, with its complex symbolism, is integral to the Egyptian conceptions of kingship and succession, conflict between order and disorder, and especially death and the afterlife. It also expresses the essential character of each of the four deities at its center, and many elements of their worship in ancient Egyptian religion were derived from the myth.

The story of Osiris is everywhere represented on the walls of this temple, and two of its inner chambers are particularly rich in symbolic imagery.

 The island Myth  

Since Philae was said to be one of the burying-places of Osiris, it was held in high reverence both by the Egyptians to the north and the Nubians to the south.

It was deemed profane for any but priests to dwell there and was accordingly isolated and named "the Unapproachable".

It was reported too that neither birds flew over it nor fish approached its shores.

These were the traditions of a remote period; since in the time of the Ptolemies of Egypt, Philae was so much resorted to, partly by pilgrims to the tomb of Osiris, partly by persons on secular errands, that the priests petitioned Ptolemy Physcon (170-117 BC) to prohibit public functionaries at least from coming there and living at their expense.

Isis , Nephtys, Osiris and set were the four children of Geb (earth) and Nut (sky) who in turns are children of Shu (Air) and tefnut (moisture or water) who are all originated from the self creating god Atum who is often associated with Ra.

All of these Deities form the “The Helioploitan Ennead” which is one of the core principles of ancient Egyptian religion.

---

Isis is the protective goddess, the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus and Since each pharaoh was considered the 'living Horus', Isis was very important across the ancient Egyptian history. As she protected the pharaohs of Egypt across the dynasties.

The Book of the Dead describes her as ”She who gives birth to heaven and earth, knows the orphan, knows the widow, seeks justice for the poor, and shelter for the weak”

---

---

 The Osiris myth 

The Osiris myth is the most elaborate and influential story in ancient Egyptian mythology. It concerns the murder of the god Osiris, a primeval king of Egypt, and its consequences. Osiris's murderer, his brother Set, usurps his throne.

Meanwhile, Osiris's wife Isis restores her husband's body, allowing him to posthumously conceive a son with her.

The remainder of the story focuses on Horus, the product of the union of Isis and Osiris, who is at first a vulnerable child protected by his mother and then becomes Set's rival for the throne.

Their often violent conflict ends with Horus's triumph, which restores order to Egypt after Set's unrighteous reign and completes the process of Osiris's resurrection.

The myth, with its complex symbolism, is integral to the Egyptian conceptions of kingship and succession, conflict between order and disorder, and especially death and the afterlife. It also expresses the essential character of each of the four deities at its center, and many elements of their worship in ancient Egyptian religion were derived from the myth.

The story of Osiris is everywhere represented on the walls of this temple, and two of its inner chambers are particularly rich in symbolic imagery.

 The island Myth  

Since Philae was said to be one of the burying-places of Osiris, it was held in high reverence both by the Egyptians to the north and the Nubians to the south.

It was deemed profane for any but priests to dwell there and was accordingly isolated and named "the Unapproachable".

It was reported too that neither birds flew over it nor fish approached its shores.

These were the traditions of a remote period; since in the time of the Ptolemies of Egypt, Philae was so much resorted to, partly by pilgrims to the tomb of Osiris, partly by persons on secular errands, that the priests petitioned Ptolemy Physcon (170-117 BC) to prohibit public functionaries at least from coming there and living at their expense.

Isis , Nephtys, Osiris and set were the four children of Geb (earth) and Nut (sky) who in turns are children of Shu (Air) and tefnut (moisture or water) who are all originated from the self creating god Atum who is often associated with Ra.

All of these Deities form the “The Helioploitan Ennead” which is one of the core principles of ancient Egyptian religion.

---

Isis is the protective goddess, the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus and Since each pharaoh was considered the 'living Horus', Isis was very important across the ancient Egyptian history. As she protected the pharaohs of Egypt across the dynasties.

The Book of the Dead describes her as ”She who gives birth to heaven and earth, knows the orphan, knows the widow, seeks justice for the poor, and shelter for the weak”

---

---

 The Osiris myth 

The Osiris myth is the most elaborate and influential story in ancient Egyptian mythology. It concerns the murder of the god Osiris, a primeval king of Egypt, and its consequences. Osiris's murderer, his brother Set, usurps his throne.

Meanwhile, Osiris's wife Isis restores her husband's body, allowing him to posthumously conceive a son with her.

The remainder of the story focuses on Horus, the product of the union of Isis and Osiris, who is at first a vulnerable child protected by his mother and then becomes Set's rival for the throne.

Their often violent conflict ends with Horus's triumph, which restores order to Egypt after Set's unrighteous reign and completes the process of Osiris's resurrection.

The myth, with its complex symbolism, is integral to the Egyptian conceptions of kingship and succession, conflict between order and disorder, and especially death and the afterlife. It also expresses the essential character of each of the four deities at its center, and many elements of their worship in ancient Egyptian religion were derived from the myth.

The story of Osiris is everywhere represented on the walls of this temple, and two of its inner chambers are particularly rich in symbolic imagery.

 The island Myth  

Since Philae was said to be one of the burying-places of Osiris, it was held in high reverence both by the Egyptians to the north and the Nubians to the south.

It was deemed profane for any but priests to dwell there and was accordingly isolated and named "the Unapproachable".

It was reported too that neither birds flew over it nor fish approached its shores.

These were the traditions of a remote period; since in the time of the Ptolemies of Egypt, Philae was so much resorted to, partly by pilgrims to the tomb of Osiris, partly by persons on secular errands, that the priests petitioned Ptolemy Physcon (170-117 BC) to prohibit public functionaries at least from coming there and living at their expense.

Isis , Nephtys, Osiris and set were the four children of Geb (earth) and Nut (sky) who in turns are children of Shu (Air) and tefnut (moisture or water) who are all originated from the self creating god Atum who is often associated with Ra.

All of these Deities form the “The Helioploitan Ennead” which is one of the core principles of ancient Egyptian religion.

---

Isis is the protective goddess, the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus and Since each pharaoh was considered the 'living Horus', Isis was very important across the ancient Egyptian history. As she protected the pharaohs of Egypt across the dynasties.

The Book of the Dead describes her as ”She who gives birth to heaven and earth, knows the orphan, knows the widow, seeks justice for the poor, and shelter for the weak”

---

---

 The Osiris myth 

The Osiris myth is the most elaborate and influential story in ancient Egyptian mythology. It concerns the murder of the god Osiris, a primeval king of Egypt, and its consequences. Osiris's murderer, his brother Set, usurps his throne.

Meanwhile, Osiris's wife Isis restores her husband's body, allowing him to posthumously conceive a son with her.

The remainder of the story focuses on Horus, the product of the union of Isis and Osiris, who is at first a vulnerable child protected by his mother and then becomes Set's rival for the throne.

Their often violent conflict ends with Horus's triumph, which restores order to Egypt after Set's unrighteous reign and completes the process of Osiris's resurrection.

The myth, with its complex symbolism, is integral to the Egyptian conceptions of kingship and succession, conflict between order and disorder, and especially death and the afterlife. It also expresses the essential character of each of the four deities at its center, and many elements of their worship in ancient Egyptian religion were derived from the myth.

The story of Osiris is everywhere represented on the walls of this temple, and two of its inner chambers are particularly rich in symbolic imagery.

 The island Myth  

Since Philae was said to be one of the burying-places of Osiris, it was held in high reverence both by the Egyptians to the north and the Nubians to the south.

It was deemed profane for any but priests to dwell there and was accordingly isolated and named "the Unapproachable".

It was reported too that neither birds flew over it nor fish approached its shores.

These were the traditions of a remote period; since in the time of the Ptolemies of Egypt, Philae was so much resorted to, partly by pilgrims to the tomb of Osiris, partly by persons on secular errands, that the priests petitioned Ptolemy Physcon (170-117 BC) to prohibit public functionaries at least from coming there and living at their expense.

Beyond the entrance into the principal court are small temples, one of which, dedicated to Isis, Hathor, and a wide range of deities related to midwifery, is covered with sculptures representing the birth of Ptolemy Philometor, under the figure of the god Horus.

The north end of the island is occupied by a prostyle temple in classical architecture of the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods, dedicated to the cult of Augustus.

To the east of the temple of Augustus is the Roman-style Gate of Diocletian .
It was thought to represent the rest of a late Roman fortification, established after Diocletian had abandoned the Dodekaschoinos and moved the frontier to the region of Philae. More likely, it was a freestanding triumphal arch.

As the latest historic stone buildings of the island, two churches were located in the area between the temple of Augustus and the Temple of Isis. The Western Church was dedicated to Maria. The Eastern Church (fig. 1 “Q”) might have belonged to the episcopate of bishop Theodorus.
When the edifices of Philae were moved to Agilkia Island, the two churches could not be saved.
The late antique and Arabic mud-brick houses, which covered large parts of the island until the late nineteenth century, had already been removed or washed away.

---

---

Upon the two great pylons are Greek inscriptions intersected and partially destroyed by Egyptian figures cut across them.

The inscriptions do not at all belong to the Macedonian era, and are of earlier date than the sculptures, which were probably inserted during that interval of renaissance for the native religion which followed the extinction of the Greek dynasty in Egypt in 30 BC by the Romans.

Beyond the entrance into the principal court are small temples, one of which, dedicated to Isis, Hathor, and a wide range of deities related to midwifery, is covered with sculptures representing the birth of Ptolemy Philometor, under the figure of the god Horus.

The north end of the island is occupied by a prostyle temple in classical architecture of the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods, dedicated to the cult of Augustus.

---

To the east of the temple of Augustus is the Roman-style Gate of Diocletian .
It was thought to represent the rest of a late Roman fortification, established after Diocletian had abandoned the Dodekaschoinos and moved the frontier to the region of Philae. More likely, it was a freestanding triumphal arch.

As the latest historic stone buildings of the island, two churches were located in the area between the temple of Augustus and the Temple of Isis. The Western Church was dedicated to Maria. The Eastern Church might have belonged to the episcopate of bishop Theodorus.
When the edifices of Philae were moved to Agilkia Island, the two churches could not be saved.
The late antique and Arabic mud-brick houses, which covered large parts of the island until the late nineteenth century, had already been removed or washed away.

---

---

Upon the two great pylons are Greek inscriptions intersected and partially destroyed by Egyptian figures cut across them.

The inscriptions do not at all belong to the Macedonian era, and are of earlier date than the sculptures, which were probably inserted during that interval of renaissance for the native religion which followed the extinction of the Greek dynasty in Egypt in 30 BC by the Romans.

Beyond the entrance into the principal court are small temples, one of which, dedicated to Isis, Hathor, and a wide range of deities related to midwifery, is covered with sculptures representing the birth of Ptolemy Philometor, under the figure of the god Horus.

The north end of the island is occupied by a prostyle temple in classical architecture of the Ptolemaic and Roman Periods, dedicated to the cult of Augustus.

---

To the east of the temple of Augustus is the Roman-style Gate of Diocletian .
It was thought to represent the rest of a late Roman fortification, established after Diocletian had abandoned the Dodekaschoinos and moved the frontier to the region of Philae. More likely, it was a freestanding triumphal arch.

As the latest historic stone buildings of the island, two churches were located in the area between the temple of Augustus and the Temple of Isis. The Western Church was dedicated to Maria. The Eastern Church might have belonged to the episcopate of bishop Theodorus.
When the edifices of Philae were moved to Agilkia Island, the two churches could not be saved.
The late antique and Arabic mud-brick houses, which covered large parts of the island until the late nineteenth century, had already been removed or washed away.

---

---

Upon the two great pylons are Greek inscriptions intersected and partially destroyed by Egyptian figures cut across them.

The inscriptions do not at all belong to the Macedonian era, and are of earlier date than the sculptures, which were probably inserted during that interval of renaissance for the native religion which followed the extinction of the Greek dynasty in Egypt in 30 BC by the Romans.

The monuments in both islands indeed attested, beyond any others in the Nile valley, the survival of pure Egyptian art centuries after the last of the Pharaohs had ceased to reign. Great pains have been taken to mutilate the sculptures of this temple.

---

The work of demolition is attributable, in the first instance, to the zeal of the early Christians, and afterward, to the policy of the Iconoclasts, who curried favour for themselves with the Byzantine court by the destruction of heathen images as well as Christian ones.

It's notable that images/icons of Horus are often less mutilated than the other carvings. In some wall scenes, every figure and hieroglyphic text except that of Horus and his winged solar-disk representation have been meticulously scratched out by early Christians.

This is presumably because the early Christians had some degree of respect for Horus or the legend of Horus - it may be because they saw parallels between the stories of Jesus and Horus.

---

---

The monuments in both islands indeed attested, beyond any others in the Nile valley, the survival of pure Egyptian art centuries after the last of the Pharaohs had ceased to reign. Great pains have been taken to mutilate the sculptures of this temple.

---

The work of demolition is attributable, in the first instance, to the zeal of the early Christians, and afterward, to the policy of the Iconoclasts, who curried favour for themselves with the Byzantine court by the destruction of heathen images as well as Christian ones.

It's notable that images/icons of Horus are often less mutilated than the other carvings. In some wall scenes, every figure and hieroglyphic text except that of Horus and his winged solar-disk representation have been meticulously scratched out by early Christians.

This is presumably because the early Christians had some degree of respect for Horus or the legend of Horus - it may be because they saw parallels between the stories of Jesus and Horus.

---

---

The monuments in both islands indeed attested, beyond any others in the Nile valley, the survival of pure Egyptian art centuries after the last of the Pharaohs had ceased to reign. Great pains have been taken to mutilate the sculptures of this temple.

---

The work of demolition is attributable, in the first instance, to the zeal of the early Christians, and afterward, to the policy of the Iconoclasts, who curried favour for themselves with the Byzantine court by the destruction of heathen images as well as Christian ones.

It's notable that images/icons of Horus are often less mutilated than the other carvings. In some wall scenes, every figure and hieroglyphic text except that of Horus and his winged solar-disk representation have been meticulously scratched out by early Christians.

This is presumably because the early Christians had some degree of respect for Horus or the legend of Horus - it may be because they saw parallels between the stories of Jesus and Horus.

---

---

In 1902, the Aswan Low Dam was completed on the Nile River by the British. This threatened many ancient landmarks, including the temple complex of Philae, with being submerged.
The height of the dam was raised twice, from 1907–1912 and from 1929–1934, and the island of Philae was nearly always flooded. In fact, the only times that the complex was not underwater was when the dam's sluices were open from July to October.

---

It was proposed that the temples be relocated, piece by piece, to nearby islands, such as Bigeh or Elephantine. However, the temple's foundations and other architectural supporting structures were strengthened instead. Although the buildings were physically secure, the island's attractive vegetation and the colors of the temples' reliefs were washed away. Also, the bricks of the Philae temples soon became encrusted with silt and other debris carried by the Nile.

---

---

 Rescue project 

The temples had been practically intact since the ancient days, but with each inundation the situation worsened and in the sixties the island was submerged up to a third of the buildings all year round.

In 1960 UNESCO started a project to try to save the buildings on the island from the destructive effect of the ever increasing waters of the Nile.

Construction began with the building of a large coffer dam, constructed of two rows of steel plates between which a million cubic meters of sand was tipped. Any water that seeped through was pumped away.

Next the monuments were cleaned and measured, by using photogrammetry, a method that enables the exact reconstruction of the original size of the building blocks that were used by the ancients.

Then every building was dismantled into about 40,000 units, and then transported to the nearby Island of Agilkia, situated on higher ground some 500 metres (1,600 ft) away

In 1902, the Aswan Low Dam was completed on the Nile River by the British. This threatened many ancient landmarks, including the temple complex of Philae, with being submerged.
The height of the dam was raised twice, from 1907–1912 and from 1929–1934, and the island of Philae was nearly always flooded. In fact, the only times that the complex was not underwater was when the dam's sluices were open from July to October.

---

It was proposed that the temples be relocated, piece by piece, to nearby islands, such as Bigeh or Elephantine. However, the temple's foundations and other architectural supporting structures were strengthened instead. Although the buildings were physically secure, the island's attractive vegetation and the colors of the temples' reliefs were washed away. Also, the bricks of the Philae temples soon became encrusted with silt and other debris carried by the Nile.

---

---

 Rescue project 

The temples had been practically intact since the ancient days, but with each inundation the situation worsened and in the sixties the island was submerged up to a third of the buildings all year round.

In 1960 UNESCO started a project to try to save the buildings on the island from the destructive effect of the ever increasing waters of the Nile.

Construction began with the building of a large coffer dam, constructed of two rows of steel plates between which a million cubic meters of sand was tipped. Any water that seeped through was pumped away.

Next the monuments were cleaned and measured, by using photogrammetry, a method that enables the exact reconstruction of the original size of the building blocks that were used by the ancients.

Then every building was dismantled into about 40,000 units, and then transported to the nearby Island of Agilkia, situated on higher ground some 500 metres (1,600 ft) away

In 1902, the Aswan Low Dam was completed on the Nile River by the British. This threatened many ancient landmarks, including the temple complex of Philae, with being submerged.
The height of the dam was raised twice, from 1907–1912 and from 1929–1934, and the island of Philae was nearly always flooded. In fact, the only times that the complex was not underwater was when the dam's sluices were open from July to October.

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It was proposed that the temples be relocated, piece by piece, to nearby islands, such as Bigeh or Elephantine. However, the temple's foundations and other architectural supporting structures were strengthened instead. Although the buildings were physically secure, the island's attractive vegetation and the colors of the temples' reliefs were washed away. Also, the bricks of the Philae temples soon became encrusted with silt and other debris carried by the Nile.

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 Rescue project 

The temples had been practically intact since the ancient days, but with each inundation the situation worsened and in the sixties the island was submerged up to a third of the buildings all year round.

In 1960 UNESCO started a project to try to save the buildings on the island from the destructive effect of the ever increasing waters of the Nile.

Construction began with the building of a large coffer dam, constructed of two rows of steel plates between which a million cubic meters of sand was tipped. Any water that seeped through was pumped away.

Next the monuments were cleaned and measured, by using photogrammetry, a method that enables the exact reconstruction of the original size of the building blocks that were used by the ancients.

Then every building was dismantled into about 40,000 units, and then transported to the nearby Island of Agilkia, situated on higher ground some 500 metres (1,600 ft) away

In 1902, the Aswan Low Dam was completed on the Nile River by the British. This threatened many ancient landmarks, including the temple complex of Philae, with being submerged.
The height of the dam was raised twice, from 1907–1912 and from 1929–1934, and the island of Philae was nearly always flooded. In fact, the only times that the complex was not underwater was when the dam's sluices were open from July to October.

---

It was proposed that the temples be relocated, piece by piece, to nearby islands, such as Bigeh or Elephantine. However, the temple's foundations and other architectural supporting structures were strengthened instead. Although the buildings were physically secure, the island's attractive vegetation and the colors of the temples' reliefs were washed away. Also, the bricks of the Philae temples soon became encrusted with silt and other debris carried by the Nile.

---

---

 Rescue project 

The temples had been practically intact since the ancient days, but with each inundation the situation worsened and in the sixties the island was submerged up to a third of the buildings all year round.

In 1960 UNESCO started a project to try to save the buildings on the island from the destructive effect of the ever increasing waters of the Nile.

Construction began with the building of a large coffer dam, constructed of two rows of steel plates between which a million cubic meters of sand was tipped. Any water that seeped through was pumped away.

Next the monuments were cleaned and measured, by using photogrammetry, a method that enables the exact reconstruction of the original size of the building blocks that were used by the ancients.

Then every building was dismantled into about 40,000 units, and then transported to the nearby Island of Agilkia, situated on higher ground some 500 metres (1,600 ft) away