The Great Hypostyle Hall is located within the Karnak Temple Complex, in the Precinct of Amon-Re. It is one of the most visited monuments of Ancient Egypt. The structure was built around the 19th Egyptian Dynasty (c. 1290–1224 BC). Its design was initially instituted by Hatshepsut, at the North-west chapel to Amun in the upper terrace of Deir el-Bahri. The name refers to hypostyle architectural pattern.

Dedicated to Amun-Re, the highest deity in the Egyptian pantheon, Karnak was once the most opulent religious sanctuary in Thebes, the imperial capital of Egypt (now Luxor)

The Great Hypostyle Hall covers an area of 5,000 m (54,000 sq ft). The roof, now fallen, was supported by 134 columns in 16 rows; the two middle rows are higher than the others (being 10 metres (33 ft) in circumference and 24 metres (79 ft) high).

The 134 papyrus columns represent the primeval papyrus swamp from which Atum, a self-created deity, arose from the waters of Nun at the beginning of creation.

The hall was not constructed by Horemheb, or Amenhotep III as earlier scholars had thought but was built entirely by Seti I who engraved the northern wing of the hall with inscriptions. Decoration of the southern wing was completed by the 19th dynasty pharaoh Ramesses II.

The builders extend mudbrick ramps outward from the north and south sides of the Hall after filling up with the top of the first course of masonry. Although there are enough surviving remnants of these buildings embankments from the Hypostyle Hall, there are relics of another ramp that was used to build the first Pylon's south tower. Caissons in a mudbrick construction were filled with loose alluvial earth and desert sand. The Hall was probably constructed using whatever material was most readily available and convenient.

The Great Hypostyle Hall of the Temple of Karnak is an outstanding example of ancient Egyptian art and architecture, displaying the lasting legacy of succeeding pharaohs through its inscriptions and reliefs. Over the centuries, numerous monarchs, including Sety I, Ramesses II, and subsequent pharaohs such as Ramesses IV, added to the temple's extensive collection of beautiful carvings, each with their own distinct creative style. [6] The Hall's walls and columns are covered with beautiful bas-reliefs depicting religious events, military conquests, and royal exploits, which serve as a visual record of Egypt's rich history. These elaborate sculptures not only represent the shifting creative styles and beliefs of previous reigns, but also demonstrate the temple's lengthy history as a center of religious and political authority [3].

A series of succeeding pharaohs added inscriptions to the walls and the columns in places their predecessors had left blank, including Sety I, Ramesses III, Ramesses IV and Ramesses VI. [6] Inside the Great Hypostyle Hall, Sety I's artisans created exquisite bas-relief sculptures for the walls, columns and their abaci, architraves, and internal clerestory roof parts.Inside the Hall, Sety I's carved ornaments are usually of the best caliber. Subtle modeling of the humans, inanimate objects, and Egyptian symbols are characteristics of his bas-relief.

All of the reliefs in the Hall's southern wing and the twelve large columns in the central nave were sculpted for Ramses II. [6] The columns show examples of each of the three stages of his relief decoration (R', R2, R3). Following his accession, the first areas to be adorned were the north-south axis and the central nave. These processional lanes (straight lines going down) were a priority, as evidenced by the reliefs on the south entryway that were carved at the beginning of his rule. Although Sety I inscribed the abaci, architraves, and clerestory that topped the great columns, it is odd that he never carved the scenes on the rows and columns themselves.[5]

On the inside of The Great Hypostyle Hall they are Sunken relief trends of relief which they are carved into the wall and not raised [3]. Which are mostly showcasing the time of Pharaoh Ramesses II and his father Sety I, with the majority of the ornamental images showing religious ceremonies and the pharaoh's military triumphs.[6]

The outer walls depict scenes of battle, Seti I on the north and Ramesses II on the south. Although these reliefs had religious and ideological functions, they are important records of the wars of these kings. On another wall adjoining the south wall of the Hall is a record of Ramesses II's Egyptian–Hittite peace treaty that he signed in Year 21 of his reign.

In 1899, eleven of the massive columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall collapsed in a chain reaction, because their foundations were undermined by ground water. Georges Legrain, who was then the chief archaeologist in the area, supervised the rebuilding that was completed in May 1902. Later, similar work had to continue in order to strengthen the rest of the columns of the Temple.[2]

The sheer volume of inscriptions covering nearly every surface, including the ceiling, walls, and columns, frequently astounds visitors. These inscriptions and reliefs reflect the various eras in which they were produced, as evidenced by the variety of artistic styles and royal names present.[3] Successive pharaohs, Roman emperors, high priests, and even common Egyptians added to the temple's extensive collection of sculptures over the ages, altering its architecture, performing repairs, and leaving behind religious graffiti.[2]

In an attempt to fit in with the Hall and its famous designers, succeeding monarchs like Pharaoh Ramesses IV [5] (r. 1151–1145) and the High Priest of Amun Herihor (r. 1080–1072) decorated previously empty areas or even covered up old inscriptions on the columns. Up until the fourth century CE, when paganism in Egypt began to collapse, the Great Hypostyle Hall remained in operation for an additional seventeen centuries.

In 1899, eleven of the massive columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall collapsed in a chain reaction, because their foundations were undermined by ground water.[5] Georges Legrain, who was then the chief archaeologist in the area, supervised the rebuilding that was completed in May 1902. Later, similar work had to continue in order to strengthen the rest of the columns of the Temple.

First Stage: Raised Relief, Early Prenomen (R'). [1]

Second Stage: Sunk Relief, Early Prenomen (R2).1]

Third Stage: Sunk Relief , Final Prenomen (R3).[1]

• Talatat

• [1] Brand, Peter J.; Feleg, Rosa Erika; Murnane, William J. (2018). The Great Hypostyle Hall in the Temple of Amun at Karnak: Volume 1, Part 2, Translation and Commentary (PDF). Oriental Institute Publications. Vol. 142. Chicago, Illinois: The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. ISBN 9781614910275. LCCN 2015931379. Retrieved 2024-11-29. Figures and Plates at Figures and Plates.
• [2] Brand, Peter J; Feleg, Rosa Erika; Murnane, William J. (2018) The Great Hypostyle Hall in the Temple of Amun at Karnak: Volume 1, Part 2, Translation and Commentary (PDF). Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. Illinois.
• [3] Nelson, Hayden Harold. (2018). The Great Hypostyle Hall in the Temple of Amun at Karnak Volume 1, Part 1, The Wall Reliefs. The Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. Illinois. ISBN 0-918986-30-3. ISSN 0069-3367.
• [4] Oakes, L., & Gahlin, L. (2003). Ancient Egypt: An illustrated reference to the myths, religion, pyramids, and temples of the land of the pharaohs. Barnes & Noble Books.
• [5] Blyth, E. (n.d.). Karnak: Evolution of a temple.
• [6] Seele, K. C. (n.d.). The cogency of Rameses II with Seti I and the date of the Great Hypostyle Hall at Karnak.

• University of Memphis' Great Hypostyle Hall Project
• Media related to Great Hypostyle Hall of Karnak at Wikimedia Commons
• University of Chicago, Illinois

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