The site of Tel el Amarna

抹茶圆子

Tell el-Amarna, also known as Akhetaten, is a significant archaeological site located in Upper Egypt, approximately 312 kilometers south of Cairo. Established around 1346 BCE by Pharaoh Akhenaten of the 18th Dynasty, it served as the capital of ancient Egypt during his reign. ​

Akhenaten founded Akhetaten to centralize worship of the sun god Aten, marking a departure from Egypt's traditional polytheistic beliefs. The city was meticulously planned, featuring a grid layout with distinct sectors:
Northern District: This area housed the royal palaces, including the Northern Palace, and administrative buildings such as the Bureau of Correspondence, where the famous Amarna Letters were discovered.
Central District: Dominated by the Great Temple of Aten, this open-air temple complex was designed to honor the sun god with its expansive courtyards and altars.
Southern District: Primarily residential, it contained villas of nobility and the workshops of artisans, including the sculptor Thutmose's atelier, where the renowned bust of Queen Nefertiti was unearthed in 1912.
The city's existence was relatively brief; following Akhenaten's death around 1332 BCE, his successors abandoned Akhetaten, and the capital returned to Thebes. Over time, the city fell into ruin, with its temples repurposed for other constructions. ​

Today, Tell el-Amarna offers invaluable insights into a transformative period of ancient Egyptian history, particularly regarding religious practices and urban development. Ongoing archaeological efforts continue to shed light on its historical significance.