Daily Photo - More from Karnak

Another fairly random selection of photographs from Karnak.

The first shows the obelisk of Tuthmose I which lies beyond the hypostyle hall (visible in the background). If you are interested in obelisks you might like the Obelisks of the World website which has details on all the known surviving examples - and has the remarkable statistic that only seven remain in Egypt whilst Rome has thirteen! If you want a translation challenge then have a look at the Ancient Egyptian Language website which has a transcription of all four faces (no translation though).

The above photograph looks up into the face of the colossus of a statue variously identified as Ramesses II or Pinedjem. We all know the basics about Ramesses II but the less known Pinedjem was a High Priest of Amun at Luxor and used the weak political situation in Egypt at that time to take over large tracts of land in the vicinity. His main claim to fame, as far as I can gather, is that he was the father of the Pharaoh Psusennes I of the Twenty First Dynasty (based at Tanis). I haven't got the time right now to go rustling around to find out which is correct (or why there is a discussion on the subject) but any input on the subject will be very gratefully received!

Osiris-form statue with the cartouches of Ramesses II
(Usermaatre-setepenre Ramesse-meryamun)

I remember taking this photograph but I cannot remember exactly where within Karnak it was - I am fairly sure it was somewhere on the east side where restoration work was being carried out at the time.