Temple of Amada

About 180 km south of the High Dam and dedicated to the important New Kingdom gods Amun-Re and Re-Horakhty situated the temple of Amada; the temple at Amada was built by Tuthmosis IV. Sethos I, Ramesses II and several other 19th dynasty kings also made small additions or restorations to the temple.

Due to the rising waters caused by the building of the High Dam, the temple was moved between 1964 and 1975 to a new, higher position some 2.5 km from its original site.Despite the predations of the Atenists during the 18th dynasty, the temple retains much of its painted relief work. It also contains several important historical texts. One, carved on a stela on the rear wall of the sanctuary in the third year of Amenhotep II, describes an Egyptian military campaign into Asia.

The other-carved on a stela on the northern side of the entrance doorway-describes a Libyan invasion of Egypt in the fourth year of Merenptah (son of king Ramesses II). Graffiti of the 19th dynasty inscribed in this temple include scenes of the viceroy of Nubia, Messuy which appear to show the royal uraeus added to the viceroy’s brow.