DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.4669#0320
288 THE LAND OF THE MONUMENTS
The profile of Nefert-ari is refined and attractive.
Much of the original colour remains upon the walls
and columns. The ceiling bears an inscription down
the centre, which divides it into ctjual portions, like
the beam of wood so frequently represented. On the
walls and the various sides of the square columns are
paintings of the king and queen, and representations
of the most important events of their lives. Diffe-
rent divinities also appear; Amen-Ra, Horus, Isis
and Hathor, Ptah, with the Triad of the Cataracts
and Nubia, Khnoum, Anouka, and Sati (or Sept,
Sothis and Sirius, [)^)| P Sept Great Goddess),*
who also wears in her head-dress the horns of llathor.
This, essentially a llathor temple, may have been
oriented to Sirius at the summer solstice. It faces
a little south of east.
Beyond this hall is a corridor, at each end of
which a small chamber is excavated ; in the centre
is the sanctuary, which contains at the extreme v\\<\,
beautifully sculptured, the figure of llathor in the
form of "the divine cow" standing in the sacred
boat, as at Denderah. This temple was dedicated to
" Hathor, the Lady of Aboccis," the ancient name
of the rock. The hieroglyphic name of / J ^
Ab, was inscribed in a chamber below the temple
at the time of Rameses 11. It implies, " the fountain
of pure waters " and "the place of purification," from
Ab -jp1 / Z£ or l j " to wash, " to cleanse," &c.
A deep gorge separates the two rocks in which the
* Wilkinson's "Ancient Egyptians," yol. iii. p.3.
The profile of Nefert-ari is refined and attractive.
Much of the original colour remains upon the walls
and columns. The ceiling bears an inscription down
the centre, which divides it into ctjual portions, like
the beam of wood so frequently represented. On the
walls and the various sides of the square columns are
paintings of the king and queen, and representations
of the most important events of their lives. Diffe-
rent divinities also appear; Amen-Ra, Horus, Isis
and Hathor, Ptah, with the Triad of the Cataracts
and Nubia, Khnoum, Anouka, and Sati (or Sept,
Sothis and Sirius, [)^)| P Sept Great Goddess),*
who also wears in her head-dress the horns of llathor.
This, essentially a llathor temple, may have been
oriented to Sirius at the summer solstice. It faces
a little south of east.
Beyond this hall is a corridor, at each end of
which a small chamber is excavated ; in the centre
is the sanctuary, which contains at the extreme v\\<\,
beautifully sculptured, the figure of llathor in the
form of "the divine cow" standing in the sacred
boat, as at Denderah. This temple was dedicated to
" Hathor, the Lady of Aboccis," the ancient name
of the rock. The hieroglyphic name of / J ^
Ab, was inscribed in a chamber below the temple
at the time of Rameses 11. It implies, " the fountain
of pure waters " and "the place of purification," from
Ab -jp1 / Z£ or l j " to wash, " to cleanse," &c.
A deep gorge separates the two rocks in which the
* Wilkinson's "Ancient Egyptians," yol. iii. p.3.