Ancient site · Luxor
Temple of Montu at Medamud
A temple devoted to the god Montu, at Medamud about five kilometres north-east of Karnak in Luxor.
The story
The Temple of Montu stands at Medamud, about 5 km north-east of Karnak. French archaeologist Fernand Bisson de la Roque excavated it from 1925 and uncovered several buildings, including the temple itself. Sources differ on the origin of the earliest sanctuary, placing it in the Old or Middle Kingdom, while the ruins of the last structure belong to the reign of Ptolemy VIII in the 2nd century BC, with decoration and additions made by the Romans centuries later. Because Montu was strongly associated with raging bulls, the temple was a major centre of bull worship, and most of its statues are now in museums around the world.
Good to know
- The site is about 5 km north-east of Karnak.
- The ruins of the last structure date to Ptolemy VIII in the 2nd century BC.
- The temple was a major centre of bull worship because of Montu's link with bulls.