Thebes · 1250 BC
What you're walking through
Around 1250 BC, under Ramesses II, Thebes was one of Egypt's great religious centres. On the east bank of the Nile stood the temples of Karnak and Luxor, surrounded by a living town. Across the river lay the royal and private burial grounds.
Karnak's Great Hypostyle Hall contained 134 sandstone columns, with a taller central aisle beneath a raised roof. Seti I built the hall and Ramesses II completed its decoration. Farther south, Luxor Temple had a new entrance pylon, royal statues and two obelisks. The Opet festival brought the gods' images from Karnak to Luxor in procession.
Who lives here
Theban townsman
A linen kilt · the Nile linked Thebes to the rest of Egypt
Boatmen, craftsmen, farmers and temple workers sustained the city around its monumental sanctuaries. The men here wear a stylized pale linen kilt.
Theban townswoman
A pale linen dress · the great temples stood beside a busy river city
This scene includes the people of the town and riverbank, alongside the monumental buildings of the New Kingdom. Their linen clothing and appearance are stylized approximations.
Donkey
About 1.2 m at the shoulder · the pack animal of farms, roads and markets
Donkeys and mules carried firewood, grain and the farms' produce into town, and goods to and from the markets and harbours.
This is a compressed view of the east bank: Karnak and Luxor really stand about three kilometres apart. The hall's 134 columns are represented with simplified carvings and painted bands; roofs, surrounding courts and the town are approximate. Later pylons, Roman buildings and today's sphinx avenue are omitted. The western necropolis is outside the walking area. People and clothing are stylized approximations.
How to walk
Press Start walking above. WA SD or the arrow keys move you, the mouse looks around, hold Shift with a movement key to run at 3× walking speed, and Space jumps. Look at someone to see who they are. Esc pauses, and M turns the sound on or off. You're invisible: nobody here can see you.
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