Temple of Hathor In Timna Park

The Temple of Hathor in Timna Park is one of the most interesting archaeological finds found in the Arava. But before talking about the shrine of Hathor that was found there; who was the Goddes Egyptian of Hathor? So Hathor which means in ancient Egyptian, “House of Horus”; was a major goddess in ancient Egyptian religion who played a wide variety of roles. As a sky deity, she was the mother or consort of the sky god Horus and the sun god Ra, both of whom were connected with kingship, and thus she was the symbolic mother of their earthly representatives, the pharaohs.

She was one of several goddesses who acted as the Eye of Ra; Ra’s feminine counterpart; and in this form, she had a vengeful aspect that protected him from his enemies. Her beneficent side represented music; dance; joy, love, sexuality, and maternal care, and she acted as the consort of several male deities and the mother of their sons. Furthermore, Hathor crossed boundaries between worlds, helping deceased souls in the transition to the afterlife. Hathor was often depicted as a cow, symbolizing her maternal and celestial aspect, although her most common form was a woman wearing a headdress of cow horns and a sun disk. She could also be represented as a lioness, cobra, or sycamore tree.

Temple of Hathor In Timna Park: Thousands of Important Artifacts Were Found

So Beno Rothenberg, the main excavator of the Timna Valley area; excavated a small Egyptian temple dedicated to Hathor; the Egyptian goddess of mining; at the base of Solomon’s Pillars. The Temple of Hathor In Timna Park was built during the reign of Pharaoh Seti I at the end of the 14th century BCE; for the Egyptian miners. The shrine housed an open courtyard with a cell; an area cut into the rock to presumably house a statue of the deity. Then earthquake damage caused the temple to be rebuilt during the reign of Pharaoh Ramses II in the 13th century BCE, with a larger courtyard and more elaborate walls and floors.

Moreover, the hieroglyphics; sculptures, and jewelry found in the temple totaled several thousand artifacts; have provided a lot of important information for archaeologists. Furthermore, a rock carving of Ramses III with Hathor is located at the top of a flight of steps carved into the stone next to the shrine of Hathor. When the Egyptians left the area in the middle of the 12th century BCE; the Midianites continued using the temple. They erased the evidence of the Egyptian cult; effaced the images of Hathor and the Egyptian hieroglyphics; and built a row of stelae and a bench of offerings on both sides of the entrance. They turned the temple into a tented desert shrine and filled it with Midianite pottery and metal jewelry. There was also a bronze serpent found near the sanctuary.

arik-about

Hi! My name is Arik, an Israeli native who dedicated his life to sharing my passion for the Holy Land with those interested in knowing more about this incredible piece of land. I’m the Chief Guide at ‘APT Private Tours in Israel’.

Did you know the Hoopoe is Israel's national bird?! For more cool info about Israel, join our ever growing community and get exclusive travel tips, and giveaways!

Simon Peter

RELATED POSTS

The Yarmukian Culture

The Yarmukian culture flourished in the Levant during the Neolithic period, leaving behind a rich archaeological legacy.

Church of the Seat of Mary

The Church of the Seat of Mary stands as a beacon of faith and devotion. Also known as the Kathisma Church or Church of St. ...

Venus of Berekhat Ram

Join me on a journey to explore the intriguing story of the Venus of Berekhat Ram! a find that captivated researchers and enthusiasts alike.

Gezer Calendar

So the Gezer calendar is a small limestone tablet with an early Canaanite inscription discovered in 1908 by Irish archaeologist R. A. Stewart Macalister in ...

Arad Ostraca

The Arad ostraca, also known as the Eliashib Archive, is a collection of ancient Hebrew inscriptions discovered in 1965 by archaeologists.

Tomb of Lazarus

The Tomb of Lazarus in Bethany, is a site deeply intertwined with the biblical narrative and holds great significance for Christians.

List of Artifacts in Biblical Archaeology

Here is the ultimate list of artifacts in Biblical Archaeology you must read before coming to tour the Holy Land. It's a must-read!

Siloam Inscription

Join us as we delve into the significance of the Siloam Inscription and its role in unlocking the stories of Jerusalem's past.

Four Room House

A four room house is a typical Israelite house in the Biblical Period. When I am on a private tour and we are checking out ...

Tel Dan Stele

The Tel Dan Stele is the earliest accepted reference to David as the founder of a Judahite polity outside the Hebrew Bible.

Need help?