TEMPLE OF WADY KARDASSY, NUBIA.

 

THIS vignette of the beautiful little Temple of Kardassy was selected from a point of view which marks its striking and relative situation to the Nile, above which it is built on a rock, in a commanding position, that overlooks the river. The entrance to the Temple, which is seen in the other view, lies between two columns with highly-finished Iris-headed capitals, surmounted with the little pronaos, and here faces the east towards the Nile. The intercolumniating screens are without ornament, except a line of sculptured asps on the cornice; but within, on one of the columns to the north, Isis and a priest are represented offering sacrifices. A Greek inscription also exists on the northern side, and Greek crosses in many places are evidence of its having been used as a Christian church. Around are extensive quarries made in the sandstone rock upon which the Temple is built.

    The various ways in which authors and travellers have written the names of temples and places on the Nile, have sometimes almost defied recognition. The orthography adopted in this work has generally been from the authority of Sir Gardner Wilkinson, who, however, spells Kardassy, Gertassee; Belzoni writes, Cartassy; Dr. Richardson, Gartaas; and the natives call it Wady-el-Baracab.