Kom Ombo

The Temple of Kom Ombo is unusual in that it is dedicated to two gods; Sobek - the Crocodile God (God of fertility and creator of the world) and Haroeris - Horus the Elder. The temple is actually split down the middle and perfectly symmetrical with one side representing Sobek, and the other Haroeris. The temple has two entrances, two shared hypostyle halls and twin sanctuaries. Built by Cleopatra's father Ptolemy VI Philometor during the 2nd century BC, many think it was more than just a temple, but may have served as a hospital of sorts. Some of the hieroglyphics appear to represent surgical tools. While that is far from certain, they certainly do look like surgical instruments. Another unique feature of the temple is the practice of mummifying crocodiles. Around 300 of the mummified critters were interred at Kom Ombo, and are now on display at the museum near the temple ground's exit.


	Above left: Early morning view from the boat. Kara took the one at the left.

The hieroglyphics at Kom Ombo were among my favorite

	Of course I didn't actually photograph the surgical Hieroglyphs because I am sometimes brain dead. I did find pictures on the web however (left), courtesy of www.touregypt.net.