The Osirian Temple

Abydos had been the center of the cult of Osiris since predynastic times. It is the ideal location for a tomb dedicated to that god (many "tombs of Osiris" exist throughout Egypt). Of temple site placement, Richard Wilkinson wrote:


The location of the Osireion in the Temple of Sethos I at Abydos, for example, is due to the proximity of a natural spring. This seems to have been used to provide a pool of water around the subterranean 'grave' in order to make it a model of the mythical mound of creation which the Egyptians believed rose from the primeval waters. [The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt, p. 36]

As to its monolithic style, most Egyptologists believe that the Osireion was purposely archaized by New Kingdom architects to make it appear to be ancient. Such a design would be appropriate for the tomb of an ancient god. Any resemblance to Khafre's Valley Temple, then, would be purely intentional.

Catchpenny Mysteries © copyright 2000 by Larry Orcutt.

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