Osireion

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The Osirion at the rear of the temple of Seti I at Abydos
The Osirion at the rear of the temple of Seti I at Abydos

The Osireion or Osireon is located at Abydos at the rear of the temple of Seti I. It was discovered by archaeologists Flinders Petrie and Margaret Murray who were excavating the site in 1902-3. The Osireion was originally built at a considerably lower level than the foundations of the temple of Seti, who ruled from 1294 - 1279 BC [1].The Osirion is constructed with huge 100 ton granite columns and lintels[2] and comprises a very different style of architecture to Seti’s temple being more reminiscent of the Old Kingdom temples such as that of the Valley Temple of King Khafra. There is debate amongst orthodox Egyptologists on whether the Osireion is contemporary with Seti's temple or is an Old Kingdom structure, possibly dating back to around c. 2500 BC [3].

[edit] References

  1. ^ Rice, Michael (1999). Who's Who in Ancient Egypt. Routledge. 
  2. ^ West, John, Anthony (1985). The Traveller’s Key to Ancient Egypt. Quest Books. 
  3. ^ Murray, Margaret (1963). The Splendour that was Egypt. Sidgwick and Jackson. 
Plan of the Osirieon at Abydos

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  • Amélineau, E. C. Le Tombeau d´Osiris. Paris, 1899.
  • Frankfort, H., De Buck, A. & Gunn, B. The Cenotaph of Seti I at Abydos, 2 vol. Memoir of the Egypt Exploration Society, Egypt Exploration Society. London, 1933.
  • Murray, Margaret A. The Osireion at Abydos, British School of Egyptan Archeology n°1, London, 1904.
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