Photos by Ian Cashmore.
This picture is from the magnificent temple of Ramasses III on the west bank of Luxor city and it dates back to the 20th dynasty which is around 1100 BC. This carving represents the sacred boat of god Amun-Ra while mounted on it's palanquin at one of the station-chapels of Madinat Habu temple and this carving is found repeated at both of the open courts of the same temple. The sacred boat of Amun-Ra which is seen here was used by the god to visit the underworld at the west. The visit of Amun-Ra to the west had its special ceremonies which covers a month, that feast was called the ancient Egyptians the feast of the valley. The journey starts at the Karnak temple, east bank where the royal family and thier procession should start, and then they cross the Nile to spend the whole month at Madinat Habu temple. In the myth Amun-Ra transforms it physical shape from a ram and a human to a mere sun-disc "Aton" which means in the hieroglyphic the disc of the sun. Also it should be mentioned that the title Aton was found in the old kingdom, a long time before Akhenaton and his oneness.
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