Akhetaten El Minya Egypt information, tours, prices, booking
Akhetaten El Minya was the capital city of the Dynasty XVIII king, Akhenaten. In fact, Akhetaten called by some “the heretic king”. Moreover, Akhenaten built Akhetaten in 1375 BC in a bay of cliffs on the east bank of the Nile. In fact, he built Akhetaten city as a center for the worship of his new religion Sun disc Aten. This religion abandoned after his death. Furthermore, the site became a pilgrimage center. In fact, it was for those who captivated by this unique period of Egyptian history. The site now only accessible by ferry to El-Till. In fact, el till is the modern village which built on the narrow strip of cultivation. Moreover, the village is along the river bank towards the northern end of Akhetaten. The archaeology of the city defined by low excavated or reconstructed walls.
In some cases, only bare outlines of the structures can made out on the sand-covered plain. In fact, most of the stonework removed in ancient times. Moreover, the remaining of mud-brick badly decayed. After Akhenaten’s death, there were few physical remains of his superb innovative structures. The dedication ceremony recorded on three boundary stelae which carved into the limestone cliffs. In fact, it is at the northern and southern extremities of the new city. A further eleven stelae cut on both banks of the river. In fact, it was to define the boundaries with greater precision. The stelae A can seen at Tuna El Gebel on the west bank. In fact, the Stelae U is the most accessible boundary one at Akhetaten El Minya. It cut into the cliff near the entrance to the royal wadi.
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The stelae measures 7.6 meter high. Moreover, the remains of the carved statues of the royal family still seen at the base. Akhetaten city surrounded by encircling hills with the deep cleft. In fact, it is at the entrance to the royal wadi in the center. Near the base of the southern cliffs, a new walled village built for the workmen. In fact, it was like that one at Thebes. There were lotiform and palm-trunk columns of wood and stone which were piers for roofs. Internal and external walls decorated with blue faience tiles and painted scenes. The whole city of Akhetaten El Minya based around a wide thoroughfare. Moreover, it extended from north to south a “royal road” over eight kilometers in length. Furthermore, it was on which Akhenaten and his family seen. In fact, they seen while they ride in chariots in many reliefs.
Nowadays, the modern track extends along the edge of the site of Akhetaten. Moreover, the track follows the ancient royal road. In fact, the northern end of this was the focus for the city’s administrative area. There was a bridge which connected the Great Palace to the King’s House. In fact, it was on the eastern side of the road. The foundations of the bridge can still seen spanning the royal road. In fact, the palace built from mud-brick. But when Petrie excavated the area in 1891 he uncovered beautiful painted pavements. In fact, these painted pavements destroyed later. An annex to the Great Palace built by Akhenaten’s successor, Smenkare. In fact, the annex contained many columns and walls. They covered in colored faience tiles. The King’s House, on the opposite side of the road was a more practical house.
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In fact, the house contained a small palace with a courtyard and magazines. Here, Petrie found fragments of a superb fresco painting. In fact, it depicts the image of the youngest royal princesses. The main buildings in the central city include store-rooms, barracks and administration offices. The “House of Correspondence of the Pharaoh” was the records office. In fact, it was in which the first of the Tell El Amarna letters found in 1887. The main residential area located on the southern side of the city. In fact, the central city to the south of the palace, was a small Aten temple. Moreover, the temple was on the eastern side of the road.
In fact, the temple called the “Mansion of the Aten in Akhetaten”. This temple built as a mortuary temple for the king. Moreover, the temple contained a sanctuary which oriented in line with the royal wadi. Furthermore, to the north of the temple was the Gm-Aten (House of the Aten). or the Great Aten Temple. In fact, the Great Temple enclosed by huge walls and extends east from the road for around 750 m. Furthermore, the great temple consisted of several cult structures. The structures include a series of open-air courts and a vast number of offering tables. In fact, 365 on each of two sides represent Upper and Lower Egypt. The whole temple complex at Akhetaten El Minya dominated by offerings.
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In fact, the offerings were of large quantities of food which dedicated to Aten. It was before distributed among the priests and populace of the city. Details of the temples can seen in many reliefs on the walls of the nobles Tombs at Tell El Amarna. To the north of the central city is an excavated structure which known as the North Palace. In fact, the structure is a self-contained structure which comprised of apartments. Moreover, the apartments built around an open court. Furthermore, there is a garden and also a throne room.
