3rd Pylon

The 3rd Pylon at Karnak Temple was erected by Amenhotep III. Within the foundations of this pylon were (amongst many other things) 319 stone blocks. These blocks would one day be reconstructed as the Red Chapel (or Chapelle Rouge). This work was carried out by workers from the Centre franco-égyptien d’étude des temples de Karnak (CFEETK).

The Red Chapel had been dismantled some time after Hatshepsut's death and eventually ended up hidden as  foundation fill. These items have survived in remarkably good condition considering the 3,500 years or so due to their re-use.

These sites have some useful information on the Third Pylon and the Red Chapel:

• Maatkara Hatschepsut - Red Chapel (Monuments, Red Chapel) 
• Osirisnet.net - Red Chapel
• Digital Karnak - Red Chapel
• Digital Karnak - 3rd Pylon

Regards,

Stuart

Updated 02/06/2012.