Thematic videos and instructional texts

• Introduction to the Temple of Karnak
• Development and Chronological Changes
• Daily Ritual
• Processional Routes and Festivals
• Architectural Features
• Construction Methods and Building Materials
  • Guide (PDF format)
  • Construction Methods
• Bark Movement

Miscellaneous videos

• Animations of the Temple Model
• Modern Video Footage of Karnak and Luxor

Construction Methods and Building Materials

Today visitors often approach the massive pyramids, temples, and obelisks of the ancient Egyptians with wonder and disbelief. The huge blocks of stone used to create these architectural masterpieces were quarried and moved without the aid of modern technologies, and it is difficult to image how such feats of engineering could be accomplished without the aid of cranes, bulldozers, trucks, and other tools of present-day building projects.

The resources in this section describe the methods of construction used by the Egyptians based on a study of the existing buildings at Karnak, ancient inscriptions, and depictions found in relief scenes. The guide and video feature building design, quarrying and building with stone, column construction, roofing and lighting, the reuse of building materials, obelisks, pylons and gateways, enclosure walls, and repairs.

Available resources:

Guide (PDF format) - This document guides you through the videos in this section

Construction Methods - This video explains the various methods for building at the temple, including planning, stone quarrying and raising obelisks. 9min 2sec.