File:Prisoners of War, Abydos.jpg

English: Prisoners of War, Abydos

Abydos dates back to the dawn of Ancient Egyptian civilisation when it was established as the cult centre of the god of the Netherworld Osiris and the burial site for a number of the earliest kings. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abydos,_Egypt

Over the centuries several temples were constructed at the site on the edge of the desert, the Great Osiris Temple being at the heart of the god's cult but little remains of this structure. What visitors come to Abydos to see today are the far more substantial remains of the New Kingdom temples built by Seti I and his son Ramesses II.

Some distance to the north of the Temple of Seti I lies the much smaller temple of his son Ramesses II (who decided to add his own temple in addition to finishing his father's). This is much less well preserved than the main temple, with the walls only standing up to around three metres high, but much of the relief decoration of these lower courses remains, and much of the vivid colouring is beautifully preserved.

The temple is reached by exiting the main temple at the rear where the Osireon sits and turning right, walking a short distance across desert. An armed escort led the way for us, which was also helpful as the low-lying ruins are hidden from view by sand dunes until one is almost upon them.

A caretaker unlocked the gates and left us free to wander inside and enjoy the remaining relief decoration. Many of the scenes are tragically incomplete, with the upper parts (often including the heads of larger figures and further scenes above) missing, but what remains gives a good impression of the former richness of this smaller temple, and the surviving colour is extraordinarily rich. Most of this is concentrated in the sequence of chambers towards the rear of the temple.

Abydos is one of Egypt's most important sites, both historically and artistically and will richly reward the visitor.