The facade was discovered by Swiss explorer Jean-Louis Burckhardt in 1813. [Great Temple of Abu Simbel - Egypt]
The facade was discovered by Swiss explorer Jean-Louis Burckhardt in 1813. [Great Temple of Abu Simbel - Egypt]

The four colossi signify a unified Egypt. [Great Temple of Abu Simbel - Egypt]
The four colossi signify a unified Egypt. [Great Temple of Abu Simbel - Egypt]

The Great Temple of Abu Simbel was built in the 13th century to honor Ramses II. [Great Temple of Abu Simbel - Egypt]
The Great Temple of Abu Simbel was built in the 13th century to honor Ramses II. [Great Temple of Abu Simbel - Egypt]

The inner sanctuary holds a statue of Hathor in the form of a cow. [Temple of Hathor - Abu Simbel - Egypt]
The inner sanctuary holds a statue of Hathor in the form of a cow. [Temple of Hathor - Abu Simbel - Egypt]

The pyramid was built for King Djoser by Imhotep, high priest and architect. [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]
The pyramid was built for King Djoser by Imhotep, high priest and architect. [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]

The site design provided the template for subsequent Egyptian architecture. [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]
The site design provided the template for subsequent Egyptian architecture. [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]

The Step Pyramid of Djoser was built some time after 2630 BC. [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]
The Step Pyramid of Djoser was built some time after 2630 BC. [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]

The Step Pyramid was the first stone structure of its size in the world [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]
The Step Pyramid was the first stone structure of its size in the world [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]

The Temple facade was buried in sand for centuries. [Great Temple of Abu Simbel - Egypt]
The Temple facade was buried in sand for centuries. [Great Temple of Abu Simbel - Egypt]

The temple is decorated with scenes of Ramses slaying Egypt's enemies, watched upon by Nefertari. [Temple of Hathor - Abu Simbe
The temple is decorated with scenes of Ramses slaying Egypt's enemies, watched upon by Nefertari. [Temple of Hathor - Abu Simbel - Egypt]

The Temple of Ptah was once one of the largest in Egypt. [Temple of Ptah - Mit Rahina village - Memphis - Egypt]
The Temple of Ptah was once one of the largest in Egypt. [Temple of Ptah - Mit Rahina village - Memphis - Egypt]

The vast enclosure surrounding the step pyramid was another achievement. [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]
The vast enclosure surrounding the step pyramid was another achievement. [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]

These were box-like mud-brick mastabas [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]
These were box-like mud-brick mastabas [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]

This corridor leads into the Great Southern Court. [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]
This corridor leads into the Great Southern Court. [Step Pyramid of Djoser - Saqqara - Egypt]

This giant limestone statue of Rameses II is the showpiece [Temple of Ptah - Mit Rahina village - Memphis - Egypt]
This giant limestone statue of Rameses II is the showpiece [Temple of Ptah - Mit Rahina village - Memphis - Egypt]