Tel el-Amarna: An Oasis of Ancient Art and Archaeology
Tel el-Amarna is an ancient city located in the Central Delta of Egypt, not far from the modern city of Mallawi. It was the site of the ancient capital of Pharaoh Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti, and is an important archaeological site, renowned for its unique artwork and fascinating history. For travelers interested in ancient Egyptian culture and archaeology, a visit to Tel el-Amarna is a must.
History of Tel el-Amarna
Tel el-Amarna is the modern name for the ancient city of Akhetaten, which was the capital of Egypt during the 18th Dynasty of the New Kingdom. The city was founded by Pharaoh Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti in 1350 BCE, and was inhabited for only a short period of time before being abandoned. The city was the center of Akhenaten’s religious revolution, which saw the Pharaoh reject the traditional gods of Egypt in favor of his own concept of a single deity. After his death, his successors moved the capital back to Thebes, and Tel el-Amarna was largely forgotten until its rediscovery in 1887.
Archaeological Exploration of Tel el-Amarna
The earliest excavations of Tel el-Amarna were conducted by the archaeologist Flinders Petrie in 1891. These excavations uncovered a wealth of artifacts, including a large number of painted reliefs, sculptures, and other works of art. Many of these artifacts are now housed in museums around the world, but there is still much to be explored at Tel el-Amarna. Excavations continue to this day, and the site is a popular destination for archaeologists and tourists alike.
Sights and Attractions at Tel el-Amarna
Tel el-Amarna is home to some of the most impressive and unique works of art from the ancient world. The city was the center of Akhenaten’s religious revolution, and is renowned for its distinctive Amarna style of art. The most famous of these works is the so-called “Amarna Princess”, a painted limestone bust of a princess that is believed to be either Akhenaten’s daughter or Nefertiti. Other prominent attractions include the Tomb of Meryre, a rock-cut tomb with painted reliefs, and the Great Aten Temple, a large temple complex dedicated to the sun god Aten.
Visiting Tel el-Amarna
Tel el-Amarna is located in the Central Delta of Egypt, around 100 km north of Cairo. The site is open to visitors year round, and can be easily reached by car or bus from Cairo or Mallawi. The site is open from 8am to 4pm, and entry fees are 50 Egyptian pounds for adults and 25 Egyptian pounds for children.
For those interested in ancient art and archaeology, a visit to Tel el-Amarna is an absolute must. The site is one of the most important archaeological sites in Egypt, and its unique artwork and fascinating history have made it an important destination for scholars and tourists alike. With its wealth of artifacts and beautiful works of art, Tel el-Amarna is an oasis of ancient culture and archaeology that is not to be missed.