Ancient site · Temple
Karnak Temple Complex
Also known as Ipet-isut
The vast temple of the god Amun at Thebes (modern Luxor), the main religious centre of New Kingdom Egypt. Building began under Senusret I around 1970 BCE and continued for nearly 2,000 years, into Ptolemaic times.
Its Great Hypostyle Hall has 134 giant columns. A processional avenue lined with sphinxes connected it to Luxor Temple. Karnak is part of the UNESCO site of Ancient Thebes.
- Dates
- c. 1970 BCE to Roman times
- Still standing
- Yes
- UNESCO World Heritage
- Yes
- Location
- 25.72° N, 32.66° E
How we know
Its walls are covered with hieroglyphic inscriptions naming the kings who built each part.
Nearby sites
- Luxor Temple c. 1400 BCE to Roman times
- Hierakonpolis (Nekhen) c. 4000–2686 BCE (main period)
- Abydos c. 4000 BCE – late Roman times
- Abu Simbel temples c. 1264–1244 BCE
- Nabta Playa c. 7500–3500 BCE; stone circle 5th millennium BCE
- Step Pyramid of Djoser, Saqqara c. 2667–2648 BCE