🏛️ Karnak Temple (Luxor): An enigmatic location linked to Egyptian mythology

Why was the Karnak Temple, one of the largest religious complexes in ancient Egypt, built precisely at this location? Recent research highlights an unexpected link between the site's geography and ancient Egyptian beliefs about the creation of the world, revising traditional conceptions of its origins.

Archaeologists have conducted the most detailed geoarchaeological study ever carried out on the Karnak site near Luxor. By examining sediment cores and pottery fragments, they were able to reconstruct the evolution of the landscape over millennia. The results, published in Antiquity, indicate that the area was once frequently flooded by the Nile, making human settlement difficult.


The study reveals that the terrain of Karnak formed as a raised island when the branches of the Nile carved their beds to the west and east. This natural elevation provided a stable base for the earliest dwellings and constructions. Over the centuries, the river channels moved away, freeing up space that allowed the temple complex to expand gradually over a vast area.

An unexpected finding concerns the eastern channel, which turned out to be well-defined and likely wider than the previously studied western channel. The researchers note that the waterways directly influenced architectural development, with new buildings constructed on filled-in former riverbeds. The Egyptians also shaped the river by dumping desert sands, probably to gain land for construction.

The configuration of this island strikingly recalls Egyptian creation stories, where a god emerges from a mound rising from the primordial waters. It is possible that the rulers of Thebes chose this location to embody the dwelling of the god Amun-Ra (or Ra-Amun), in accordance with this mythological imagery. The seasonal retreat of the Nile floods could reinforce this symbolism, making the mound appear to grow as the water level fell.


Over the ages, this connection between the natural environment and religious beliefs likely played a role in the temple's continuous expansion, which lasted nearly three millennia. Work now continues on the Luxor floodplain, aiming to understand how the landscapes shaped other major archaeological sites.

Creation Narratives in Ancient Egypt

Egyptian creation myths are fundamental narratives explaining the origin of the world and the gods, often linked to natural elements like water and earth. They differ depending on the era and region but share common themes, such as the emergence of a primeval mound from chaotic waters.

In these traditions, the creator god, such as Atum or Ra, appears on a mound of dry land symbolizing stability and nascent life. This imagery is echoed in religious texts and artistic representations, showing an Egyptian vision of a cosmos organized from aquatic chaos.

These beliefs were not merely abstract; they influenced religious practice and architecture. Temples were often designed to imitate or commemorate these mythological scenes, serving as places where gods could reside and where rituals could perpetuate this cosmic order.

The discovery at Karnak of an island matching this description indicates that the ancient Egyptians may have chosen sites in harmony with their sacred narratives, integrating natural geography into their belief system to reinforce the legitimacy and spiritual significance of their monumental constructions.