Dendera

Dendera was my favorite site in all of Egypt, and not just because it was the topic of my 45 minute presentation. Mostly just because it's a beautifully preserved temple to a female goddess, and it's awesome. (Everyone agrees.)


Here are our favorite Hathor-headed columns, especially appropriate here because this entire temple is dedicated to Hathor. (Remember? Hathor of Dendera is the consort of Horus of Edfu.) It is intriguing, too, that the front row of columns from the hypostyle hall are actually part of the outer wall/pylon. I haven't seen this anywhere else.


Beautifully preserved and conserved Hathor-headed column - her hair would always have been blue!


This is a shocking example of how much of a difference conservation work can make. The left side of this picture shows what the paint looks like after conservators have cleaned it carefully, while the right side shows us how much dirt can accumulate in several thousand years. Isn't it crazy?


This is a replica of a famous zodiac ceiling for which Dendera is well known. Why, you ask, am I showing you a replica? Wasn't I allowed to photograph it just like everything else at Dendera? Oh yes, I was - it's just that the original is in the Louvre...


Dendera is also famous for its extensive crypts. This is a particularly famous relief from these secret rooms, one known because it looks so much like a light bulb. Really, it's an eggplant. With a snake inside? Okay, it's super weird. But it's probably not a light bulb.


Another weird relief from the crypts, near the light bulb image.


This is the sacred lake at Dendera. Clearly, it is no longer full of water. But it is still a pretty cool space - literally, quite the relief to walk down here (ground level is at the top of the wall), and stand in the shade of the palm trees.