Institute of Egyptian Art & Archaeology

Aswan

The Temple of Isis of the Ptolemaic Period, which was originally located on the island of Philae, now dominates the island of Agilkia. After the construction of the Aswan Dam (1898-1912), the island of Philae was completely out of the water only from August through December. The waters controlled by the High Dam (completed in 1971) would have covered it. Therefore, the temple was moved in the late 1960s, but it is still known as Philae Temple.

As tourist boats approach the island of Agilkia from the east, Trajan’s Kiosk (left) balances the Temple of Isis (right). The layout of the temple is apparent from this vantage point: from the left, first pylon, open court, second pylon, covered hypostyle hall, sanctuary.

This view of the Ptolemaic Temple of Isis (Philae Temple) is from the west and illustrates well the Egyptian use of the post and lintel system of construction. This view also demonstrates the layout of the temple: from the right, first pylon, open court, second pylon, covered hypostle hall, sanctuary.

The last known hieroglyphic inscription in Egypt dates from 394 C.E. and is in Philae Temple. Lines border and divide the two vertical columns of hieroglyphs which inscribe a royal decree. The hieroglyphs are crude in execution but are clear enough to read. On the left is a badly damaged figure of a king wearing an elaborate crown.

This unfinished obelisk in a granite quarry in Aswan provides insight into the extraordinary manual effort behind royal building projects. This obelisk, which is 137 feet/41.7 meters long and 14 feet/4.2 meters at its widest, was abandoned when it developed a crack. This geographical area was an ancient Egyptian source for pink and gray granite.