Archaeologists have reconstructed the landscape of the Temple of Amon-Ra in ancient Egypt

The Karnak Temple, one of the largest and most enigmatic religious complexes of ancient Egypt, is gaining a new explanation for its origins.

A team of archaeologists and geologists from Great Britain and Sweden conducted the most extensive geoarchaeological study of the region in the history of observation.

The scientists analysed 61 cores (deep samples of soil and sediment) recovered from different parts of the temple and its surroundings, as well as tens of thousands of fragments of pottery to determine the exact age and stages of construction. The results are published in the journal Antiquity.

The key finding is that until around 2520 BC, the site where the temple later emerged was unsuitable for settlement - it was regularly flooded by the turbulent waters of the Nile. Permanent use of the site probably began in the Old Kingdom period (ca. 2591-2152 BC), and the earliest pottery dates from ca. 2305-1980 BC.

The temple on the island

Research has shown that Karnak originally stood on a natural island formed by two branches of the Nile bed. This patch of solid land appeared to be surrounded by water - an ideal location for a sanctuary for both engineering and religious reasons.

Later, as the rivers shifted and flooding decreased, the temple complex was allowed to expand, building on the drained areas.

Dr Ben Pennnington, leader of the study, believes the symbolism of the site is no coincidence:

"Ancient Egyptian myths speak of how a primordial hill emerged from the chaos of the waters - this is exactly the picture that emerges at Karnak. Perhaps the elite of Thebes chose this place, consciously associating it with the image of the creation of the world."

Later texts from the Middle Kingdom period (c. 1980-1760 BC) develop the cosmogonic story: the primordial hill ("primary earth") emerges from the "waters of chaos". Archaeologists see a direct parallel between this image and the site on which the Karnak temple was built.

"When the waters of the Nile receded after a flood, the island would literally 'float' out from under the water - just like in the myth," Dr Pennnington explains.

This effect may have been used for ritual purposes, reinforcing the sacred significance of the site.

How the river influenced the temple

Interestingly, prior to this study, the focus had been on the western course of the Nile. But the scientists found that the eastern branch was much more pronounced than previously thought and played an important role in forming the "island" beneath the temple. Over time, the channels were filled with sand, sometimes deliberately, to prepare the area for new phases of construction.

The team has received permission to further explore the entire floodplain in the Luxor area. The aim is to understand how the natural landscape and water system influenced the formation of the religious capital of Ancient Egypt as a whole.