The process of moving the Nubian temples, after the construction of the High Dam in Aswan in the 1960s by the Egyptian government, resulted in the emergence of the new Wadi El-Sebou site, located only 4 km northwest of the original site of Wadi El-Sebou. It includes many temples that were about to be submerged by the waters of the Nile, such as the Wadi al-Sebou temple from the Ramesside period, dedicated to Amun Ra and Ra Hor-Akhty, the Greco-Roman temple in Dikka dedicated to the god Dhuti, and the Roman temple in Mahrekha dedicated to the gods Isis and Serapis. All these temples were registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1979 as part of the monuments of Nubia.
Wadi Al-Seboua or Wadi Al-Aswad (so called because of the path of rams located in the entrance edifice of the temple) is the site of two modern Egyptian temples. The first temple was built by the Eighteenth Dynasty Pharaoh Amenhotep III and was later restored by Ramesses II. In its first phase, the temple consisted of a rock shelter (about 3 by 2 metres) in front of a brick pylon, a hall, and a hall partly painted with frescoes. The temple was probably dedicated to a local Nubian form of Horus, but was changed to Amun later. During the Amarna period, images of Amun were attacked and the decorations deteriorated. The second temple was built by the Nineteenth Dynasty Pharaoh Ramesses II in Lower Nubia. He rebuilt and expanded the Temple of Amenhotep III by building structures in front of the edifice.
Temple of Amun Ramesses II
Statue of Abu Ramesses II from Wadi El-Sebou TempleForecourt of Wadi El-Sebou Inscription of Ramesses II making an offering to the gods in Wadi El-Sebou
The Temple of Ramesses II was built in order to sanctify the two great deities, Amun-Ra and Ra-Hore-Akhty. Its entrance is led by a road on both sides of which are decorated with a group of sphinx statues in the form of crouching lions. Wadi Al-Seboua Temple is one of three temples established by King Ramesses II in Nubia.
The temple adopts a distinctive architectural design, as its front part and facade are built of stone, while its interior part is carved into the rock. In the first part of the temple; There is a rock worship room measuring 3 meters long and 2 meters wide. Facing it is a courtyard with a brick edifice and a half-painted hall. The temple ends with the Holy of Holies.
Converting it into a church.
Painting of Saint Peter, late 7th or early 8th century
In the fifth century AD, the temple was used as a church during the period of Roman persecution. The statues in it were destroyed and some of the temple inscriptions were covered with a layer of mortar, which led to the preservation of many ancient Egyptian scenes and inscriptions. This layer helped preserve the original carvings for future generations; The best examples are found here in the sanctuary and accompanying temples of the Temple of Ramses where colorful scenes depict Ramesses worshiping the sacred boats of Amun. The face of Amun, located in the outer courtyard of the temple, was transformed into Saint Peter, and when the layers of the shell were removed, the drawings showed Ramesses II offering flowers to Saint Peter.
Temple relocation.
When the temples of Wadi El-Sebou were threatened by floods from the construction of the Aswan Dam Project, the temple was dismantled in 1964 with US support by the Egyptian Antiquities Service and the temple was reassembled 4 km from its original location with the Dikka and Mahrak temples in the area called Wadi. The week
Temple development
The Ministry of Antiquities began implementing the first phase of developing the ancient Wadi Al-Seboua Temple in southern Aswan, which is one of the most important temples of ancient Nubia that was saved by UNESCO after the construction of the High Dam.