Photo Gallery · Karnak Temple, Luxor

Karnak’s Pylons, Obelisks and Granite Sanctuary in Old Photos

Fourteen photographs of the pylons, obelisks, granite sanctuary, older ruins and Sacred Lake at Karnak, taken between 1851 and 1862.

Beyond the Hypostyle Hall, Karnak is a chain of gateways, courts, obelisks and shrines built up over many centuries. When these photographs were taken most of it was ruined or half-buried: pylons stood broken, one obelisk lay on the ground, and the Sacred Lake, which old titles call the “Salt Lake”, was a pool among palms. The hall has its own gallery, Karnak’s Hypostyle Hall in old photos; for the sphinx avenue, the Great Court and the great gateways, see Karnak in old photos. For tickets and the route round the precinct, see the Karnak Temple guide.

Karnak’s pylons

Three views of Karnak’s pylons: two Teynard plates of gateways on the south–north axis, which his titles call the First and Third Pylon, and a ruined pylon from Frith’s series. Karnak’s other gateways, such as the Great Northern and Southern Gates, are in Karnak in old photos.

Karnak: ruined gate and colossi at the Tenth Pylon, 1851–52

The ruined gateway and colossi of the pylon that Teynard called the First Pylon and the British Library now identifies as the Tenth Pylon, Karnak — Félix Teynard, 1851–1852 (photographed); printed 1853–1854 · salted paper print from paper negative · 24.3 × 30.5 cm · The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession 1976.607.66 (object 261867) · British Library 74/Cup.652.m.2, 1(66), 245 × 310 mm (another print) · Old title: “Karnak (Thebes); First Pylon – Ruins of the Gate and the Colossi” (Teynard’s French title: “Premier pylône — Ruines de la porte et des colosses vues du point E”)

Teynard’s plate title calls this the first pylon, ruins of the gate and the colossi, seen from Point E on his plan; he photographed it in 1851–52 and it was printed in 1853–54. The British Library catalogue describes a view from the fourth court, looking south-westwards towards the inner face of the ruins of the tenth pylon, with the opening flanked by colossi, and says this pylon is the outermost gateway on the south–north axis. Under the numbering used today, which starts with the older west–east approach, it is the tenth pylon, so it is not the First Pylon at Karnak’s western entrance. See the colossi flanking the broken gateway.

Karnak: limestone colossus at the Eighth Pylon, 1851–52

A colossal limestone statue at the pylon that Teynard called the Third Pylon and the British Library now designates the Eighth, Karnak — Félix Teynard, 1851–1852 (photographed); printed 1853–1854 · salted paper print from paper negative · 24.0 × 30.3 cm · The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession 1976.607.65 (object 261866) · British Library 74/Cup.652.m.2, 1(65), 244 × 309 mm (another print) · Old title: “Karnak (Thebes); Third Pylon – Colossus of Limestone Spath” (British Library English title: “Third pylon, limestone colossus at point D (on plan)”)

A limestone colossus photographed by Teynard in 1851–52 and printed in 1853–54; his plate title calls it the colossus at the third pylon, at point D on his plan. The British Library catalogue describes a close view of the half-buried colossus at the foot of the pylon to the south of the Amun-Ra Temple, and notes that Teynard numbered it the third pylon but it is now designated the eighth: the pylon numbering, which once began on the south–north axis, has since been reversed to start with the older west–east approach. Observe the statue’s size next to the gateway.

Karnak: the ruined Ninth Pylon, c. 1857

The broken top of the Ninth Pylon at Karnak, with two local men beside low walled beds of young palms — Francis Frith, c. 1857 · albumen print · 16.1 × 21.0 cm · Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales · Old title: “Carnac – The Ruined Pylon”

A ruined pylon at Karnak in Frith’s series, around 1857. Royal Collection Trust identifies it as the Ninth Pylon. Two local men stand beside low walled beds where palm trees are being grown. Note the broken top and the courses of stone that remain.

Obelisks and the granite sanctuary

Seven views of the obelisks and of the granite sanctuary in the central part of the temple.

Karnak: the two obelisks, c. 1857

The two standing obelisks in the central part of Karnak — Francis Frith, c. 1857 · albumen print · Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales · Old title: “Carnac – The Two Obelisks”

Frith’s view of the two obelisks that still stand at Karnak, around 1857: Thutmose I’s and that of his daughter Hatshepsut, seen among the remains of the Fourth Pylon. Royal Collection Trust notes that they come from two different pairs, one raised by each ruler, and that Hatshepsut’s is the taller. See the height of the shafts against the broken walls around them.

Karnak: the fallen obelisk, c. 1857

Hatshepsut’s fallen obelisk lying among rubble at Karnak, with Thutmose I’s obelisk standing behind — Francis Frith, c. 1857 · albumen print · 16.1 × 21.0 cm · Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales · Old title: “Carnac – The Fallen Obelisk”

Frith’s view of the upper part of Hatshepsut’s fallen obelisk, lying among rubble and masonry with two local men just below it. The standing obelisk in the background is Thutmose I’s. Note its length laid out along the earth.

Karnak: the granite sanctuary and an obelisk, c. 1857

The granite sanctuary and an obelisk, Karnak — Francis Frith, c. 1857 · albumen print · 15.6 × 20.1 cm · Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales · Old title: “Carnac – The Granite Sanctuary and Obelisk”

Frith’s view of remains near the granite sanctuary, including the surviving obelisk of the pair Hatshepsut set up near the Fifth Pylon, the taller of the two obelisks still standing at Karnak. Royal Collection Trust notes structures of Thutmose I and Thutmose III and later additions, including an archway beside which three local men stand. The sanctuary lies beyond the Hypostyle Hall, near the heart of the temple.

Karnak: fragments of the sanctuary and an obelisk, c. 1857

Fragments of the sanctuary and an obelisk, Karnak — Francis Frith, c. 1857 · albumen print · 21.1 × 16.4 cm · Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales · Old title: “Carnac – Fragments of Sanctuary and Obelisk”

Frith’s view of fallen masonry and large debris, with a local man standing in the middle ground. In the background rises the obelisk of Thutmose I, the surviving obelisk of the pair he raised near the Fourth Pylon. Observe the fallen stones in the foreground against the standing shaft.

Karnak: view towards the sanctuary, 1862

A view towards the sanctuary of the Temple of Amun, Karnak — Francis Bedford, 1862 · albumen print; mounted on card · 23.7 × 29.0 cm · Old title: “View looking towards the Sanctuary; Karnak 1862”

The view towards the sanctuary at Karnak, dated 1862. The camera looks through the precinct towards the sanctuary area of the Temple of Amun. See how the view runs through broken walls rather than clear courts. The sanctuary lies at the inner, eastern end of the main axis.

Karnak: granite construction, carved and painted decoration, 1851–52

Carved and painted decoration in the granite construction, Karnak — Félix Teynard, 1851–1852 (photographed); Met impression printed 1853–1854 · salted paper print from paper negative · 23.7 × 30.5 cm (Met impression); 23.9 × 30.9 cm (Musée d’Orsay impression) · The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1976.607.61 (object 261862); related impression at Musée d’Orsay, PHO 1986 132 61; second record · Old title: “Karnak (Thebes); Palace – Granite Construction – Carved and Painted Decoration (Point R)”

Carved and painted decoration in the granite construction, taken from Point R on Teynard’s plan in 1851–52 and printed in 1853–54. Look for the traces of colour on the carving. The granite sanctuary lies beyond the Hypostyle Hall.

Karnak: granite construction, carved pillar, 1851–52

A carved pillar in the granite construction, Karnak — Félix Teynard, 1851–1852 · salted paper print from paper negative · Old title: “Karnak (Thebes); Palace – Granite Construction – Carved Pillar”

A carved granite pillar in the part of Karnak that Teynard’s title calls the palace, photographed in 1851–52. Note the sharp edges of the carving in such hard stone. The granite sanctuary lies further inside the temple, beyond the Hypostyle Hall.

Older ruins at Karnak

Two views of older, ruined parts of the precinct, from Frith and Teynard.

Karnak: the oldest portion of the ruins, 1857

What Frith’s title calls the oldest part of the ruins, Karnak — Francis Frith, 1857 · albumen print · Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales · Old title: “Carnac – The Oldest Portion of the Ruins 1857”

Frith’s title calls this the oldest portion of the ruins at Karnak, 1857. Royal Collection Trust describes four papyrus columns with bud capitals, still standing and carrying lintels, as part of the Festival Hall of Thutmose III. Note what stands and what has fallen.

Karnak: sculptures of the inner wall of a ruined building, 1851–52

Sculptures on the inner wall of a ruined building, Karnak — Félix Teynard, 1851–1852 (photographed); printed 1853–1854 · salted paper print from paper negative · 24.9 × 30.3 cm · The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession 1976.607.63 (object 261864) · Old title: “Karnak (Thebes); Ruined Building – Sculptures of the Inner Wall (Point U)”

Sculptures on the inner wall of a ruined building at Karnak, taken from Point U on Teynard’s plan in 1851–52 and printed in 1853–54. See the carved figures along the wall.

The Sacred Lake

Two views across the Sacred Lake, which the old titles call the “Salt Lake”.

Karnak: pylons from the Sacred Lake, c. 1857

Pylons seen across the Sacred Lake, Karnak — Francis Frith, c. 1857 · albumen print · Old title: “Carnac – Pylons from the Salt Lake”

Karnak’s pylons seen across the water of the Sacred Lake, around 1857; Frith’s title calls it the Salt Lake. Observe the water in the foreground and the gateways rising behind it. The lake lies on the south side of the central part of the precinct.

Karnak: the Sacred Lake with palms and camels

The Sacred Lake with palms and camels, Karnak — Francis Frith, 1857 · albumen print · 16.1 × 20.6 cm · Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales · Old title: “Carnac – The Salt Lake with Palms and Camels”

The Sacred Lake with palms and camels beside it, in Frith’s 1857 series. Note the animals and trees along the shore. The scene shows how river, fields and ancient monuments shared one landscape.

About these Karnak pylon and obelisk photographs

Who and when. Three sources lie behind these pictures. Félix Teynard worked at Karnak in 1851–52 and published his plates as Égypte et Nubie in about 1858; five of his views are here. Eight are from Francis Frith’s 1857 Nile series. Seven are catalogued by Royal Collection Trust, which holds the prints; one is matched by title and series. Francis Bedford made one view in 1862, on the Prince of Wales’s tour.

Reading the photographs. Teynard’s lettered titles, such as “Point R”, mark places on his survey plan, so the headings here describe what each picture shows. His “First” and “Third” Pylon plates use the old numbering, which is explained under each picture. Look for the obelisks, the tall single stones set up in pairs, and for how the granite sanctuary differs from the sandstone around it. Compare Teynard’s 1851–52 gateway with Frith’s ruined pylon of 1857.

Credits and sources for the Karnak pylon and obelisk photographs

Medium, size and old title for each picture appear under the photograph itself. Links go to the holding institution’s record where one is available.

Karnak: ruined gate and colossi at the Tenth Pylon, 1851–52 — Félix Teynard, 1851–1852. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession 1976.607.66 (object 261867). British Library 74/Cup.652.m.2, 1(66).
Karnak: limestone colossus at the Eighth Pylon, 1851–52 — Félix Teynard, 1851–1852. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession 1976.607.65 (object 261866). British Library 74/Cup.652.m.2, 1(65).
Karnak: the ruined Ninth Pylon, c. 1857 — Francis Frith, c. 1857. Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales.
Karnak: the two obelisks, c. 1857 — Francis Frith, c. 1857; Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales.
Karnak: the fallen obelisk, c. 1857 — Francis Frith, c. 1857. Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales.
Karnak: the granite sanctuary and an obelisk, c. 1857 — Francis Frith, c. 1857. Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales.
Karnak: fragments of the sanctuary and an obelisk, c. 1857 — Francis Frith, c. 1857. Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales.
Karnak: view towards the sanctuary, 1862 — Francis Bedford, 1862.
Karnak: granite construction, carved and painted decoration, 1851–52 — Félix Teynard, 1851–1852. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1976.607.61 (object 261862); related impression at Musée d’Orsay, PHO 1986 132 61; second record.
Karnak: granite construction, carved pillar, 1851–52 — Félix Teynard, 1851–1852.
Karnak: the oldest portion of the ruins, 1857 — Francis Frith, 1857; Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales.
Karnak: sculptures of the inner wall of a ruined building, 1851–52 — Félix Teynard, 1851–1852. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession 1976.607.63 (object 261864).
Karnak: pylons from the Sacred Lake, c. 1857 — Francis Frith, c. 1857.
Karnak: the Sacred Lake with palms and camels — Francis Frith, 1857. Royal Collection Trust, acquired by King Edward VII when Prince of Wales.