Abu Gurab is the name of an area of ​​Egypt located about fifteen kilometers from the modern city of Cairo and one kilometer and a half from Abusir, between Guiza and Saqqara, on the west bank of the Nile River. The area was chosen by the kings of the V Dynasty to build their funeral complexes and Solar temples. The Solar Temple was a structure dedicated to Ra, the solar deity of Heliopolis, which reached great importance in the time of the V Dynasty. According to the papyrus of Abusir, six kings of the V Dynasty built Solar temples: Userkaf, Sahura, Neferirkara, Neferefra-Isi, Nyuserra and Menkauhor. Only two solar temples have been discovered, the one of Userkaf (the oldest one) and the one of Niuserra, both being in ruins. Map of Abu Gurab and Abusir.

Starting from the known temples, the original structure of a Solar temple can be reconstituted. First, along the Nile River there was the so-called temple of foster care; a covered path gave access to the solar time proper; one entered through a door that led to a courtyard surrounded by a wall. In this courtyard was an altar, where the animal sacrifices were made, behind which was a large obelisk.

The Solar Temple of Niuserra is in the best state of conservation. To the south of its ruins were found vestiges of a Solar boat.

During the reign of Dyedkara-Isesi the construction activity in Abu Gurab is interrupted. From then on it is no longer built in Abu Gurab, this monarch opted for being buried in Saqqara. Archaeological works

The Solar Temple of Niuserra was excavated between 1898 and 1901 by Ludwig Borchardt and Heinrich Schäfer.

The temple of Userkaf was excavated by Herbert Ricke in the sixties. Bibliography

Coordinates: 29 ° 55'N 31 ° 14'E / 29.917, 31.233

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