Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III

Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III

Aerial view of the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III
Shown within Egypt
Location	Upper Egypt
Coordinates	25°43′16″N 32°36′36″E / 25.721°N 32.610°E / 25.721; 32.610
Type	Mortuary temple
History
Builder	Amenhotep, son of Hapu

The Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III, also known as Kom el-Hettân, was built by the main architect Amenhotep, son of Hapu, for Pharaoh Amenhotep III during the 18th Dynasty of the New Kingdom.^[1] The mortuary temple is located on the Western bank of the Nile river, across from the eastern bank city of Luxor. During its time, the Mortuary Temple of Amenhotep III was the largest funerary complex in Thebes that was built.^[1] Only parts of the mortuary temple's layout remain, as well as the Colossi of Memnon, which are two large stone statues placed at the entrance measuring 18 meters (59 feet) high.^[2] Because the mortuary temple was built relatively close to the river, the annual flooding caused the site to decay at a more rapid rate. New research indicates that a large majority of the destruction on the mortuary temple can be attributed to the effects of an earthquake.^[3] It was long speculated that the earthquake occurred around 27 BC; however, investigations into the mortuary temple and surrounding colossi have debunked this time frame and instead have demonstrated it occurred around 1200 BC. Additional earthquakes after the one in 1200 BC have not been ruled out.^[3][4] The Colossi of Memnon and Amenhotep III Temple Project have helped conserve the site as well as possible.^[5]