The Khnum Temple of Nectanebo II on Elephantine

This thesis presents the results of the excavation made by the author for the Swiss Institute of Egyptian Architectural Research of the Khnum temple of Nectanebo II (359–341 B.C.) on the Nile island Elephantine near Aswan. The text begins with an introduction to the historical and religious background of the Late Period, and continues to describe the entire temple’s reconstruction in a manner which addresses the symmetry of the layout. The technical construction procedure, from the preparation of the building site to the painting

of the reliefs, is also described, as are the architectural elements, materials, construction and naoi (monolithic shrines).

One chapter is dedicated to the damages that led to the cult’s abandonment and, in turn, to the dismantling of the temple as a quarry building materials. Finally, the Khnum Temple is put into the historical context of temple building from the New Kingdom to Roman rule in Egypt. A description of the typology of Late Period temple ground plans is used to demonstrate that

the Khnum Temple with its concentric layout of walls and rooms and the introduction of the Wabet, a solar cult place within the temple, was to influence the building style of the Ptolemies significantly.