Conservation of the Interior Walls and Front Columns of the Temple of Esna

26/05/2025 to 26/05/2025

The University of Tübingen/MoTA project to reveal the colors of the interior decoration of the Esna temple was initiated in the second half of 2018.
Over the last 6 years we have been able to accomplish the conservation work of the complete astronomical ceiling (7 bays, or travées, including architraves), the lower sides of all 6 architraves, as well as the 18 inner columns. This task was executed by up to 30 conservators under the supervision of Ahmed Emam. Simultaneously they have mounted “bird spikes” on top of the column capitals to reduce the number of pigeons. After having finished the ceiling and the 18 columns the next, or second, phase of the conservation project started in spring 2024 with the interior walls where the color is preserved under the soot from at least the middle of the second register upwards.