Egypt Travel IV: Papyrus Paper Making, Luxor Temple Complex and Esna Lock

April 1, 2018 by · Leave a Comment
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Egypt Travel IV: Papyrus Paper Making, Luxor Temple Complex and Esna Lock

Map showing the location of Luxor City and Esna Lock in Egypt

Map showing the location of Luxor City and Esna Lock in Egypt

Papyrus Paper-Making Lesson at Sondos Papyrus Shop in Luxor

After seeing the Karnak Temple Complex we visited a shop in Luxor City that was selling paintings on papyrus papers. It was called Sondos Papyrus.

When we entered the shop we were given a lesson on papyrus paper making by the owner. He showed us the method of doing it using simple tools as shown in the photos below.

Simple Tools for Papyrus Paper-Making

Simple tools used for making papyrus paper

Simple tools used for making papyrus paper

First he showed us papyrus stems.

Owner of Sondos Papyrus introduces a papyrus stem.

Owner of Sondos Papyrus introduces a papyrus stem.

The stems were cut into short pieces and soaked in a bowl of a dark liquid.

Papyrus stems are cut into short pieces and soaked.

Papyrus stems are cut into short pieces and soaked.

Then he cut the stems into thin strips.

Stems are cut into thin strips.

Stems are cut into thin strips.

The strips were flattened by a mallet.

Strips are flattened by a mallet.

Strips are flattened by a mallet.

He used a pin-roller to squeeze out the water in the flattened strips.

Water in strips are squeezed out by a pin roll.

Water in the strips is squeezed out by a pin roller.

Next, he said that the strips had to be soaked in water for six days to make them soft.

Strips are soaked in water for six days.

Strips are soaked in water for six days.

Arrangement of Papyrus Strips

He took out some papyrus strips that had already soaked for six days and arranged them vertically and horizontally on a flat sheet of rubber until they looked like a piece of paper.

Arranging strips vertically and horizontally on a flat board

Arranging strips vertically and horizontally on a flat board

Pressing Machine

He put the arranged strips in a machine and pressed out the water. He said that they would be left inside for six days when they would become a piece of paper.

Pressing the strips by a machine for six days

Pressing the water out of the strips by a machine and left inside for six days

Papyrus Paper

The gentleman took out a readily made papyrus paper and said that the strips would look like that piece of paper after six days

Six days later, the strips stick to each other and become a piece of paper.

Six days later, the strips stick together and become a piece of paper.

Writing and Painting

The papyrus paper can be used for writing and painting. It was used by ancient Egyptian rulers.

Below are some of the paintings drawn on papyrus papers which were displayed in the shop and for sale.

“Sphinx”

Painting of a mythical creature, "Sphinx"

Painting of a mythical creature, “Sphinx”

“Pharaoh”

Painting of a pharaoh

Painting of a pharaoh

“Tree of Life”

Painting of "Tree of Life"

Painting of “Tree of Life”

“Goddesses”

Painting of "Goddesses"

Painting of “Goddesses”

“Chariot”

Painting of "Chariot"

Painting of “Chariot”

“Ancient Egyptian Deities”

Painting of "Ancient Egyptian Deities"

Painting of “Ancient Egyptian Deities”

“Hunting”

Painting of "Hunting"

Painting of “Hunting”

“Abu-Simbel Temples”

Painting of "Abu-Simbel Temples"

Painting of “Abu-Simbel Temples”

Visiting Luxor Temple Complex

Having spent an hour at Sondos Papyrus shop, we went to a historical site near Luxor City and it is known as Luxor Temple Complex.

Luxor Temple Complex

Luxor Temple Complex was built by two kings, Ramessess II(1290-1224 B.C.) and Amenhotep III(1391-1353 B.C.). Later, the Roman Emperor, Diocletlan(244-312 A.D.), built a fortress round it in the late 3rd. Century A.D.. Then churches were built at the Luxor Temple Complex.

Ticket to enter the Luxor Temple Complex

Ticket to visit the Luxor Temple,Luxor

Ticket to visit the Luxor Temple,Luxor

Temple of Ramesses II

The Temple of Ramesses II was one of the temple we visited at the Luxor Temple Complex.

Below are some photos showing parts of the Temple of Ramesses II

Facade or Pylon of the Temple of Ramesses II(1279-1213 B.C.)

Facade of the Temple of Ramesses II(1279-1213 B.C.) in the Luxor Temple Complex

Facade of the Temple of Ramesses II(1279-1213 B.C.) at the Luxor Temple Complex

Entrance to the Temple of Ramesses II flanked by the statues of Ramesses II at the Lixor Temple Complex

Entrance to the Temple of Ramesses II flanked by the statues of Ramesses II in Luxor Temple Complex

Entrance to the Temple of Ramesses II flanked by the statues of Ramesses II at Luxor Temple Complex

Obelisk of King Ramesses II(1279-1213)

There were actually two obelisks of King Ramesses II at the temple entrance. But only one is left and the other is kept in Paris, France.

The Obelisk of Ramesses II on the left and the missing Obelisk of Luxor on the right(now in Paris, France) at the entrance of the Temple of Ramesses II

The Obelisk of Ramesses II on the left and the missing one on the right(now in Paris, France) at the entrance of the Temple of Ramesses II

Courtyard in the foreground and Tripartite Shrine in the background of the Temple of Ramesses II

Courtyard of Ramesses II in the foreground and the Tripartite Shrine in the background in the Temple of Ramesses II

Courtyard of Ramesses II in the foreground and the Tripartite Shrine in the background in the Temple of Ramesses II

Colonnade Hall of Amenhotep III(Reign:1391-1353 B.C.) and Tutankhamun(Reign:1332-1323 B.C.)

Courtyard of Ramesses II in the foreground and Colonnade Hall of Amenhotep III and Tutankhamun in the background

Courtyard of Ramesses II in the foreground and Colonnade Hall of Amenhotep III and Tutankhamun in the background

Columns and Statues in the Courtyard of Amenhotep III, LuxorTemple Complex

Columns and statues in the Courtyard of Amenhotep III, Luxor Temple Complex

Columns and statues in the Courtyard of Amenhotep III, Luxor Temple Complex

Stone Head of Ramesses II in the Temple of Ramesses II, Luxor Temple Complex

A stone head of King Ramesses II in the Temple of Ramesses II, Luxor

A stone head of King Ramesses II in the Temple of Ramesses II, Luxor

Statues of King Amenhotep and his wife, Tiye

Statues of King Amenhotep III and his wife, Tiye, in the Courtyard of Amenhotep III, Luxor

Statues of King Amenhotep III and his wife, Tiye, in the Courtyard of Amenhotep III, Luxor

Entrance to the Amenhotep III Sanctuary

Entrance to the Amenhotep III Sanctuary

Entrance to the Amenhotep III Sanctuary

Amun’s or Sun God’s Boat

Entrance to a chamber that houses a boat of Amun

Entrance to a chamber that houses a boat of Amun

Mosque of Abu el-Haggag

There is a mosque in the compound of Ramesses II Temple at the Luxor Temple Complex. Known as Abu el-Haggag, it was built on a ruined Coptic church of the 6th. Century A.D..

Mosque of Abu el-Haggag built on a demolished Coptic church in the Luxor Temple Complex

Mosque of Abu el-Haggag built on a demolished Coptic church in the Luxor Temple Complex

50000 Stone Blocks 

There are over 500 000 stone blocks outside the temple of Ramesses II which are from the walls of the ruined Temple of Ramesses II and other temples too.

Blockyard of Luxor Temple Complex has a collection of over 50000 syones that were used for the walls of the temples in the temple complex

Blockyard of Luxor Temple Complex has a collection of over 50000 stones that are from the walls of the ruined temples at the Luxor Temple Complex

Sailing to Edfu

In the evening we left Luxor City and went back to our cruise boat on River Nile. Soon our boat set sail for Edfu which is 60 km south of Luxor.

River Nile Pedlars

On the way, we saw some pedlars on their small boats tied to our moving large boat trying to sell their textile products to the passengers.

A pedlar trying to sell a table-cloth to a passenger on a cruise boat

A pedlar trying to sell a table-cloth to a passenger on a cruise boat

I was fascinated by the way those pedlars doing their sales.

Pedlar’s Sale-Method

A pedlar will call passengers on a cruise boat, loudly. If he spots one looking down at him, he will strike a friendly conversation with him/her and then show his product. Before the passenger can give him a positive or negative answer, the latter throws his product in a waterproof plastic bag to him/her with accuracy. He will ask the person to have a look at the product, put the money in the same bag and throw it back to him if the price is acceptable to the passenger. Otherwise, he has to throw the product back to the pedlar.

Cruise boats sailing on River Nile from Luxor to Aswan 

Cruise boats on River Nile heading for Aswan from Luxor in Egypt

Cruise boats on River Nile heading for Aswan from Luxor in Egypt

Esna Lock

To go to Edfu from Luxor our cruise boat had go through a lock at Esna in order to get to the higher water level of River Nile.

Esna Lock Pedlars

At the Esna Lock, pedlars in small boats tried to sell their goods to us. We were amazed that they could throw their goods to us while we were on the top deck of our boat which was about 13 metres above the water level!

Two Pedlars in Esna Lock with their goods

Two pedlars in a boat in Esnu lock

Two pedlars in a boat in Esna lock

A tour-member caught a pedlar’s product but she threw it back to him as she did not need it.

A tour-member caught a product thrown to her by a pedlar 10 metres below

A tour-member caught a product thrown to her by a pedlar 13 metres below

Lower and Upper Gates of Locks

The Esna Lock allows two cruise boats to enter at a time. The photos below show the working of the lock.

Opening of Lower Gate

The lower gate opens, slowly, and the water flows out.

The lower gate of the Esna Lock opens slowly to allow the cruise boat to enter.

The lower gate of the Esna Lock opens slowly to allow the cruise boat to enter.

Lower Gate Opening Wide

When the lower gate is wide, the boat enters the lock.

The lower gate opens wide for the cruise boat to enter.

The lower gate opens wide for the cruise boat to enter.

Cruise Boat entering the Esna Lock

The boat enters the lock, slowly.

Cruise boat entering the Esna Lock

Cruise boat entering the Esna Lock

Opening of Upper Gate

When the boat is inside the lock, the lower gate closes. Then the upper gate opens to allow water to flow into the lock raising the boat.

This upper gate opens when lower gate closes.

This upper gate opens when lower gate closes.

Boat Exiting Lock

When the water level inside the lock is the same as the outside, the boat sails out of the lock and continues its journey to the south.

When water levels inside and outside the lock are the same, the cruise boat exits.

When water levels inside and outside the lock are the same, the cruise boat exits.

Two boats are allowed to enter the lock at a time

Esna Lock allows two cruise boats to enter at a time.

Esna Lock allows two cruise boats to enter at the same time.

40 Minutes in the Lock

A cruise boat will take about 40 minutes to pass through the Esna Lock.

After passing through the lock, our boat continued the journey to Edfu in the south.

Before dawn broke, we reached Edfu.

(Continue in Egypt Travel Part V)

Previous / Home / Next

Egypt Travel Parts I to XII

Egypt Travel Part I :Salah el Din Citadel, Muhammad Ali Mosque, Tahrir Square and Egyptian Museum

Egypt Travel Part II :Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut Temple and Colossi of Memnon

Egypt Travel Part III :Hot Air Balloons and Karnak Temple Complex

Egypt Travel Part IV :Papyrus Paper-Making, Luxor Temple and Esna Lock

Egypt Travel Part V :Edfu Temple, Kom Ombo Temple and Galabia Party

Egypt Travel Part VI :Abu Simbel Temples and Nubian Village(Elephantine Island)

Egypt Travel Part VII :Unfinished Obelisk, Aswan High Dam and Philae Temple

Egypt Travel Part VIII:Ahmed Hamdi Tunnel, Moon Beach(Ras Sudr), and St. Catherine

Egypt Travel Part IX :Mount Sinai, Catherine’s Monastery and Sharm el Sheikh

Egypt Travel Part X  :Sharm el Sheikh

Egypt Travel Part XI :Cairo Food, Saqqara Step Pyramid Complex and Memphis

Egypt Travel Part XII :Great Giza Pyramid Complex and Khan el Khalil Bazaar