In the heart of Karnak Temple, one of Egypt’s conservation projects has reached a key milestone. Dr. Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, inspected the ongoing work at the Southern Chapels of the Akhmenu—the ceremonial hall constructed under Thutmose III—during a recent visit to Luxor.
The conservation and documentation project is being carried out in partnership with the Franco-Egyptian Center for the Study of the Temples of Karnak (CFEETK), a long-standing collaboration between Egyptian and French teams.
Dr. Khaled emphasized the importance of the work at the Southern Chapels, describing it as a model of effective international cooperation in the field of heritage preservation. He noted that the project has helped safeguard an essential part of the Theban temple landscape and contributes to the Ministry’s broader goal of enhancing cultural tourism, as directed by Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy.
Uncovered Ritual Inscriptions and Royal Iconography
The Southern Chapels are located immediately to the right of the main entrance of the Akhmenu, a structure built by Thutmose III (c. 1479–1425 BCE) and dedicated to the cult of Amun-Ra during the New Kingdom. The area consists of seven chapels and two large columned chambers, all connected by an internal corridor.
According to Mohamed Abdel-Badie, head of the Egyptian Antiquities Sector at the Council, the cleaning and conservation efforts have revealed a number of previously obscured religious scenes and inscriptions. These include depictions of the king performing ritual offerings to the god Amun, as well as vivid representations of the Heb Sed festival—an elaborate royal jubilee ceremony symbolizing the renewal of the king’s rule.
Also uncovered was a long foundation inscription describing the Akhmenu as a “Temple for Millions of Years,†reaffirming its role as a perpetual cult space for Amun-Ra and the gods of Karnak.
Preservation and Accessibility Enhancements
Dr. Abdel Ghafar Wagdy, Director General of Luxor Antiquities and Egyptian co-director of CFEETK, explained that the conservation process included both architectural and fine-scale restoration, as well as full documentation of the site’s iconography.
In addition to the preservation work, the team also introduced enhancements to improve the visitor experience. Informational signage has been installed to provide historical context about the Southern Chapels and their religious significance. Special access ramps have also been added to accommodate visitors with limited mobility.
The Southern Chapels of the Akhmenu remain one of the best-preserved sections within the Karnak complex. Large portions of their walls and ceilings still stand, and many of the painted reliefs retain their original color and clarity—making them a vital resource for understanding New Kingdom temple art and royal ritual practice.
#Egypt #Egyptology #Karnak #Akhmenu #CFEETK #LuxorTimes #Restoration Centre Franco-Égyptien d’Étude des Temples de Karnak – CFEETK Fonds Khéops Pour L’archéologie
