DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.9059#0227
210 THE MONUMENTS OF UPPER EGYPT.
to the east, we find our way to the three remain-
ing points which we have yet to visit: the lake,
the four pylons to the south, and the temple of
Mout.
The Lake. — The sacred barks of the temple
went in procession on the lake during the fete
days. This lake had been dug out by Thothmes
III., who, in one of the inscriptions of the temple,
boasts of having himself presided over the com-
mencement of the works. There is no canal con-
necting this lake with the Nile, its waters main-
taining their level by gradual infiltration alone.
The Four Pylons to the South. — These are all
more or less in ruins. Judging by the position
they occupy in the general plan of Karnak, they
were evidently intended as a link between the
temple of Mout and the grand temple ; but the
singular divergence of their axis constitutes a
problem not so easily solved. Perhaps, on the
vast space of ground left bare by the side of the
grand temple, these pylons were erected as so
many triumphal arches, intended to perpetuate
the glory of their royal founders. This seems
more than probable, especially if one tries to
recall in imagination the two high towers of the
pylon, their large central entrance gate, and the
to the east, we find our way to the three remain-
ing points which we have yet to visit: the lake,
the four pylons to the south, and the temple of
Mout.
The Lake. — The sacred barks of the temple
went in procession on the lake during the fete
days. This lake had been dug out by Thothmes
III., who, in one of the inscriptions of the temple,
boasts of having himself presided over the com-
mencement of the works. There is no canal con-
necting this lake with the Nile, its waters main-
taining their level by gradual infiltration alone.
The Four Pylons to the South. — These are all
more or less in ruins. Judging by the position
they occupy in the general plan of Karnak, they
were evidently intended as a link between the
temple of Mout and the grand temple ; but the
singular divergence of their axis constitutes a
problem not so easily solved. Perhaps, on the
vast space of ground left bare by the side of the
grand temple, these pylons were erected as so
many triumphal arches, intended to perpetuate
the glory of their royal founders. This seems
more than probable, especially if one tries to
recall in imagination the two high towers of the
pylon, their large central entrance gate, and the