The Genius Loci at the Great Temple of Abu Simbel: Hermeneutic Reading in the Architectural Language of Ancient Egyptian Temples of Ramses II in Nubia

This study reveals that the Temple of Abu Simbel's location and unique design were primarily driven by political and conceptual factors during the reign of Ramses II, rather than religious tradition. By employing hermeneutic analysis—examining parts to understand the whole and then contextualizing it within a broader framework—the research demonstrates the validity of this approach in uncovering new dimensions about historical monuments. The study leverages Norberg-Schulz's Genius Loci concept and Heidegger's anticipatory fore-structures to interpret the temple's significance, offering fresh insights into its architectural language.

Ramzy, N. (2015). THE GENIUS LOCI AT THE GREAT TEMPLE OF ABU SIMBEL: HERMENEUTIC READING IN THE ARCHITECTURAL LANGUAGE OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN TEMPLES OF RAMSES II IN NUBIA. Journal of Ancient History and Archaeology, 2(2). https://doi.org/10.14795/j.v2i2.106