Ancient Egyptian sites

Hieroglyphics at Karnac temple illuminated during the Light and Sound show.	The Egyptians built huge monuments and symbolic gateways. This image shows the ornate hieroglyphs as they are today, after thousands of years of wear.	Passages such as this would have been frequented by Ancient Egyptian priests during ceremonies. Despite their functional role, they remain highly ornate and well preserved.
View from the rear of the Ramasseum. The area around the valley's of the Kings and Queens has a number of small villages such as this one. many of these buildings are ancient in their own right, and the villagers, so tradition has it, have a history of tomb robbing.	Egyptologists are still in the process of renovating many areas of historical interest. This photograph shows an area to the rear of the Ramasseum which is currently being restored to it's former glory. The use of alternative kinds of stone is evident in this picture: something which makes restoration a much more painstaking job.	Pillars at the Ramasseum. The sheer scale of the size of the temples built in Ancient times is demonstrated by this image. Notice the apparent smallness of the scaffolding at the top of the pillars.
The inner sanctum of the Ramasseum. The hieroglyphs here are amazing, highly ornate and, despite the toll of the years, in very good condition.	Another view of the inner sanctum at the Ramasseum. Different styles of design here reflect the different stages of the stories being told in the hieroglyphs and the later influence of the Romans.	Pillars in the temple at Karnac.  Famed for their use in the James Bond film.
Another view of the pillars in Karnac temple. The use of pillars was symbolic in Ancient Egyptian times.	The Egyptians viewed many of their predessors as deities or gods. Statues of them, and the sons of the living Pharoah, often decorated the more ornate temples and palaces of the Pharoahs.	Large parts of the temple complex at Karnac are still being renovated. This section, to the right of the temple as you enter, is due to be restored to it's former glories within three years.
This magnificent pair of statues guarded the road to the valley's of the Kings and Queens. The original route can be clearly identified as there are a large number of markers, in the shape of the phaoronic lions, dotted along the route.	An alternative view of the entrance to the valley's. In the background you can make out the entrance way to the Valley of the Queens, the Valley of the Kings lay to the right of this photograph.	Long distance view of the Valley of the Kings.
Restoration work being undertaken at Karnac temple.	Sorted relics awaiting the Egyptogists care and attention at Karnac temple.	One of the huge Pylons at Karnac temple.
Statue illuminated at the Karnac Sound and Light Show.	The rear of the temple complex at Medinet Habu	View down the central aisle of the temple at Medinet Habu. The scale of the temples size is clear here from the dot like appearance of the visitors to this site.
Close up of the side of a Pylon at Medinet Habu. Again the hieroglyphs are extraordinary in there detail.	Part of the extensive complex at Medinet Habu	Side view of the temple at the rear of the Medinet Habu complex.
Hieroglyphics on the front of one of the Plyons in the Medinet Habu complex.	The entrance to the Medinet Habu complex from inside the temple. To put the size into perspective, I'm stood 15 metre's in front of the entrance.	Pillars in the Ramasseum complex.
Queen Hatshepsut's temple. This fabulous temple is only partially open to the public at the moment as it is under going extensive renovations. The temple is also well known for it's role in the Indiana Jones film.	The slopes to the side of the Valley of the Kings show the extent to which excavations and burials have taken place.