KARNAK

Karnak: translation

The main temple of the god Amun at Thebes known in Egyptian as Iput-sut. The temple was known during the Middle Kingdom and was enlarged and embellished by successive rulers of the New Kingdom. Its great wealth led to an increase of political power for the high priest of Amun, under whom Thebesbecame virtually independent during the Third Intermediate Period. The temple was sacked by the Assyriansin 663 BC, and although it was restored during the Ptolemaic Period, it never regained prominence. The site has been extensively excavated beginning in the 20th century and is currently being restored by the Centre Franco-Egyptien. More recent expeditions include the work of the Brooklyn Museum at the subsidiary temple of Mut since 1976.