The Luxor Temple

The Luxor Temple was built with sandstone from the Gebel el-Silsila area, which is located in South-Western Egypt.^[4] This sandstone is referred to as Nubian sandstone.^[4] It was used for the construction of monuments in Upper Egypt as well as in the course of past and current restoration works.^[4]

Like other Egyptian structures, a common technique used was symbolism, or illusionism.^[5] For example, to the Egyptian, a sanctuary shaped like an Anubis jackal was really Anubis.^[5] At the Luxor Temple, the two obelisks (the smaller one closer to the west is now at the Place de la Concorde in Paris) flanking the entrance were not the same height, but they created the illusion that they were.^[5] With the layout of the temple they appear to be of equal height, but using illusionism, it enhances the relative distances hence making them look the same size to the wall behind it. Symbolically, it is a visual and spatial effect to emphasize the heights and distance from the wall, enhancing the already existing pathway.^[5]