Rock Temple of Amada 
Some 125mi/200km south of Aswan, in the most fertile part of Nubia, is the Rock Temple of Amada. Constructed on its original site, on the left bank of the Nile, by Tuthmosis III and Amenophis II (18th Dynasty), it was dedicated to Amun-Re and Re-Harakhty. Tuthmosis IV later enlarged it by the addition of a Hypostyle Hall. The figures of Amun, defaced by Amenophis IV, were restored by Sethosb I. In Christian times the temple became a church and the reliefs were covered over, and as a result have preserved their original brilliant coloring.
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With the construction of the Aswan High Dam the rising waters of Lake Nasser threatened to engulf this monument along with many others; and in a rescue operation carried out by a French firm the entire temple was sawn out of the solid rock and re-erected on a new site - now known as New Amada - 1.5mi/2.6km farther north and 213ft/65m above its original level.
The Temple of Amada, oriented roughly north and south, is entered through a stone gateway, originally flanked by brick pylon towers. On the right hand side is Tuthmosis III and on the left Amenophis II in the presence of Re-Harakhty. On the inside of the gateway, to the left, is an inscription referring to a campaign by Merneptah against the Ethiopians, and beyond this is the praying figure of Setaw, Governor of Nubia in the reign of Ramesses II.
The Temple of Amada, oriented roughly north and south, is entered through a stone gateway, originally flanked by brick pylon towers. On the right hand side is Tuthmosis III and on the left Amenophis II in the presence of Re-Harakhty. On the inside of the gateway, to the left, is an inscription referring to a campaign by Merneptah against the Ethiopians, and beyond this is the praying figure of Setaw, Governor of Nubia in the reign of Ramesses II.
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Amada - Hypostyle Hall
Beyond the pylon there was originally a court enclosed by brick walls, on the far side of which was a hall with four Proto Doric columns. This court was later converted by Tuthmosis IV into a covered Hypostyle Hall (32.5ft/9.95 m long, 26-28.5ft/ 7.90-8.70m wide, 14.5ft/4.40m high), still excellently preserved, by the addition of 2 pillar sandstone lateral walls. The reliefs on the pillars and the walls show Tuthmosis IV holding converse with the gods. The inscriptions on the architraves are also in his name. The columns bear dedicatory inscriptions by Tuthmos is ill and Amenophisil, who are also depicted on the rear wall.
Amada - Sanctuary
In the rear wall of the Transverse Chamber are three doors. The two side doors each lead into a chamber; the right hand one has reliefs depicting the ceremonies associated with the foundation of a temple. The central door gives access to the Sanctuary, on the rear wall of which is an inscription of great historical importance dating from the third year of Amenophis II's reign. It records the completion of the temple and a campaign in Syria during which Amenophis captured seven Syrian princes and hanged six of them on the walls of Thebes and the seventh at Napata. Above the inscription is the solar barque with the gods Re-Harakhty and Amun. At the far end of the sanctuary, to the right and left, are two small rooms, which were connected with the side chambers entered from the Transverse Chamber by doors of later construction (now walled up).
Amada - Transverse Chamber
Adjoining the Hypostyle Hall is a Transverse Chamber (25ft/7.50m long, 7ft/2.10m deep, 12ft/3.65m high). On the right hand side of the entrance wall are Tuthmosis III being embraced by Isis and Amenophis II sacrificing to Amun-Re. On the lefthand side the gods Thoth and Horus of Edfu are depicted pouring the consecrating water, in the form of the hieroglyphs for "life", over Amenophis II.
