Here comes the sun, and I say it's all right...

[researchgrrrl]

About a week ago, archaeologists announced they'd found a temple of Re in what was once part of Iunu (ancient Heliopolis). This temple is huge; so far, the largest one built by Ramses II that's ever been found. With this new find, there's a lot of new information now on the cult of Re as well as Heliopolis itself.

Comments

[hecateshound]

So... Iunu is basically MUCH BIGGER than they thought it was? If it extends under modern Cairo? Because the other stuff I've read about Iunu says that it was thought to be located several miles away from Cairo.

As well as being, you know, basically plundered out the ass for building materials.

Or is it the other way around?

This is all so cool.

Because, you know, in one way it sucks that the modern city has built over the ancient sites. And in another, they're better preserved that way, at least their remains are, than if they'd just been left out in the open, people being what they are. We have a little (ver little) more respect for the past now than we did when we were looting it to make ointments and end tables out of it.

[researchgrrrl]

The precise name and shape of Iunu has never been known but a big chunk of it is covered by the suburbs of modern Cairo. It was situated just northwest of modern Cairo, inland from the Nile (although connected to by a canal) in the area of Tell Hisn.

Well, here's this map.

See Giza at the very top there? Iunu was located on the opposite side of the Nile from the Giza plateau about twelve miles to the northeast.

[hecateshound]

Okay, yeah, that helps.

I love maps.

And nowhere near Abydos.

This, I tell you, MATTERS to Stargate fans....

[researchgrrrl]

This map will actually give you an even better idea of where Iunu was located relative to modern Cairo.

It's good to know I can be of use to SG fen. *g*