The Temple of Osiris-Dedwen (B 700) at the foot of Gebel Barkal, the holy mountain in the ancient capital of Napata in Upper Nubia, Sudan, 7th century BC, Kingdom of Kush. Historical reconstruction by Learning Sites, Inc.

The Temple of Osiris-Dedwen (B 700) at the foot of Gebel Barkal, the holy mountain in the ancient capital of Napata in Upper Nubia, Sudan, 7th century BC, Kingdom of Kush. Historical reconstruction by Learning Sites, Inc. 

Construction of the temple of Osiris-Dedwen in the Kushite religious capital of Napata commenced under King Atlanersa, possibly a son of Taharqa, around 650 BC, and was completed under his successor and possible son, King Senkamanisken, around 630 BC. In a lengthy inscription from the temple, the name of Osiris, god of the underworld, was coupled to that of Dedwen, a Nubian god associated with deceased kings. 

Badly damaged by rockfall from the adjacent cliff, probably in the 3rd century BC (early Meroitic times), the temple was restored, only to be badly damaged again by rockfall caused by an earthquake 5 centuries later, after which it was left in ruin.  

The temple had four chambers, including a roofed, columned portico in front of its pylon (gateway), a columned court, which was open over the center aisle, and a roofed sanctuary, to which a small chapel was added as part of the temple's restoration in the early Meroitic period. 

The pylon of the temple was adorned with a prominent relief of King Senkamanisken symbolically smiting his enemies in front of the god Amun, accompanied by the following inscription, suggestive of the temple’s importance during coronation ceremonies: 

"I said of you, while you were still in your mother's womb that you were to be ruler of Kemet [here, probably in reference to Kush rather than Egypt]. I knew you in the semen, while you were in the egg, that you were to be lord. I made you receive the Great Crown, which Re [the Sun god] caused to appear on the first good occasion. Inasmuch as a father makes his son excellent, it is I who decreed kingship to you. So who shall share it with you? For I am the Lord of Heaven. As I give to Re, so he gives to his children, from gods to men. It is I who gives you the royal charter.... No other can decree who is to be king. It is I who grants kingship to whomever I will." 

Other noteworthy finds included the colossal statue of King Atlanersa which once flanked the entrance to the temple, a small obelisk and the finely carved bark stand of the same king which was still situated in the inner sanctuary.