DENDERA TEMPLE OF HATHOR EGYPT - Tony Walsh توني والش

I VISITED THE TEMPLE OF HATHOR COMPLEX AT DENDERA IN EGYPT 🇪🇬.

My Bike at Temple of Hathor - Dendera — My Bike at Temple of Hathor – Dendera

Its a remarkably well-preserved Ptolemaic Temple in central Egypt – that probably dates from 54BC and was finished during the rule of the Romans. The Temple of Hathor is one of a series of temples built from here to Aswan in southern Egypt during this period.
I took my bicycle from Luxor – the hire company gave me a second lock as it was an unknown area for them! Like many communities around the world – the distant communities can never be as good as your own. All was safe though, and enjoyable, especially cycling across the bridge over the River Nile.

Temple of Hathor - Dendera — Temple of Hathor – Dendera

The two most complete structures here are the main temple, dedicated to Hathor a goddess of the sky, the sun, motherhood and so much more – and a minor temple, a Mammisi. A Mammisi is, broadly, a temple of the birth of a divinity and their continual rebirth.

Ceiling - Hypostyle Hall Temple of Hathor - Dendera — Ceiling – Hypostyle Hall Temple of Hathor – Dendera

As Dendera is only 2,000 years old and located in a less densely populated region, it hasnt been ransacked by powerful rulers. I like the approach to the temple – through avenues of trees and of course – across the Nile which makes it a treat. The temple sits on the edge of the remarkably green oasis created by the Nile – and the desolation of the desert.

Hypostyle Hall Hathor Temple of Dendera – the columns capitals might be likened to sistrums

Since my last visit – as well as upping the price – there are now separate tickets for the crypts with the ‘Ancient Alien’ supposed example of ‘electric light bulbs’ and roof with the zodiac.

Inside the main Hathor Temple are a couple of hypostyle halls, (the first is the Pronaos if considered from the Roman point of view)

Hypostyle Halls Temple of Hathor Dendera

which still have a remarkable amount of colour on the stonework. The more neutral-coloured ceiling decoration are the roof soffits, with ritual recitals – and praise to the Pharaohs who built the temple. The decorative blue coloured areas (7 panels) include an almost cartoon-style progression of different cycle periods (astrology, time etc) in Egypt.

Hathor - with unknown Pharaoh (empty cartouch) — Hathor – with unknown Pharaoh (empty cartouch)

Supporting the worship of gods are around a dozen small chapels, many have had their reliefs obliterated by monotheistic adherents.

However, Dendera is probably best known for three unexpected elements.

Dendera Light - Crypt - Temple of Hathor — Dendera Light – Crypt – Temple of Hathor

Two are alternative ancient history ‘Ancient Alien’ theories. In a crypt after a crawl due to the low ceilings, the ‘electric light bulbs’, supposedly invented by an ancient pre-Egyptian civilisation, are depicted in low relief. In reality, as described in the hieroglyphs next to them they allude to an Egyptian creation story. The images include a snake, (the filament of the supposed bulb), lotus flower etc. forming the bulb.

The second is also an ‘Ancient Alien’ alternative ancient history – the ‘melted staircases’ (see my video below). For some believers of these alternative ideas the stairs have been melted by an explosion or intense heat source (that strangely didn’t affect the walls). These stairs actually exhibit a normal wear, and redeposition of material that could be expected over hundreds of years of use.

Lastly, one not within the ‘alternative ancient history’ myths is the Dendera zodiac. This is a circular, low relief depiction of part of the zodiac, set within a ceiling. This may pre-date the temple. The one displayed in the temple is a copy of the original, which is now in the Louvre, Paris.