Ancient Clothing Designs of Kings & Gods Revealed at Esna Temple

Restoration efforts at the Esna Temple in Luxor have unveiled new details about ancient Egyptian clothing and rituals, shedding light on the artistic and cultural significance of the Ptolemaic era.

The discoveries were made by a joint Egyptian-German archaeological mission, which has been working since 2018 to clean, document and restore the temple's intricate wall and column carvings.

The six-year project has focused on removing layers of dirt, soot and dust from the temple’s surfaces, revealing its vibrant original colours. Among the findings were intricate designs of clothing, crowns and thrones belonging to kings and gods, particularly visible on the southern inner wall and the western back wall.

Restorers also uncovered inscriptions and restored the temple’s astronomical ceiling, as well as 18 of its 24 internal columns. One notable scene depicts priests of Esna carrying the sacred boat of the god Khnum in a ceremonial procession, offering a rare view of a shrine typically hidden from public sight.

The newly revealed inscriptions are part of offering scenes that cover the temple’s inner walls. One particularly striking detail is the depiction of the king’s clothes, adorned with papyrus at the top and lilies at the bottom, symbolising the unity of Lower and Upper Egypt under his rule.

The project’s ongoing efforts include recovering the temple’s ceiling inscriptions, which feature celestial motifs and Nut, the goddess of the sky. Throughout November 2024, the team will focus on cleaning the outer parts of the temple’s six front columns, continuing their work to restore this ancient site.