NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HISTORY 29Twice a year, sunlight enters the eastern-
facing Great Temple, penetrates the
Hypostyle Hall and vestibule, and
reaches the inner sanctuary, where
it lights up the statues of gods and
Ramses II.
Hypostyle Hall. Inside
this chamber are eight
Osiride statues, each
around 33 feet tall,
representing the pharaoh
holding royal symbols.Sanctuary. The seated statues of
Ramses, Amon-Ra, Ra-Horakhty,
and Ptah await the twice-yearly
visit of the sun’s rays.Small sanctuary.
This area contains
images of Ramses II
making offerings
to various gods.Supporting dome. This
concrete structure
houses the temple in its
new location.Secondary side
chambers. Bearing
few decorative
features, these were
possibly used
as storerooms.SOL 90/ALBUMNATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HISTORY 29SOL 90/ALBUM