But such a search is now denied us, while in the time of Thothmes III. it is supposed that the south frontier Kali of the inscriptions is probably connected with Koloë in 4° 15′ N. lat. according to Ptolemy.[125]

As a matter of fact, there is distinct evidence of the cult of the southern stars coming down the river in the region we can get at; α Centauri, e.g., seems to have been observed at Gebel Barkal before Thebes—Sirius is too modern to be considered—and above all there is the remarkable series of temples, apparently oriented to Canopus before 6000 B.C., which come down no lower than Edfû.

The general statement is, then, that there were two distinct groups of stellar temples, probably built by different races, or at all events by peoples having very different astronomical methods.

It is well to inquire here whether the dates of the various temples as determined by the methods dwelt on in previous chapters can throw any light upon the inquiry. Here I must re-state that in almost every case the date of foundation so determined precedes the generally-received date, which invariably has reference to a stone building, while in all probability the first structure was a brick shrine merely. In support of this view I may state that the looking after ruined shrines was recognised as one of the duties of kingship.

"I have caused monuments to be raised to the gods; I have embellished their sanctuaries that they may last to posterity; I have kept up their temples; I have restored again what was fallen down, and have taken care of that which was erected in former times."[126]

Not only did Thothmes III. find the original temple of Amen-Rā built in brick, but he found the temple at Semneh in brick also, and he rebuilt it in memory of Usertsen III.[127]

In the following table I bring together the foundation dates I have found most probable, bearing the above and many other considerations in mind. The dates are, of course, only provisional, since local data are in many cases wanting. Where no information is forthcoming as to the height of the horizon visible along the temple axis, I have assumed hills 1° high, and used the dates printed in heavy type in Chapter XXX.

Table of Temples Built to N. and S. Stars.

Years B.C.Northern Stars.Southern stars.Remarks.
α Ursa Majoris.γ Draconis.Capella.Spica.Phact.α Centauri.Canopus.Sirius.
[6400] 1,2,
3.4.		 1. ?Edfû, 2. Philæ, 3. Amada, 4. Semneh.
5400
5300 1
2		 1. Memphis. 2. Annu.
52001 1. Annu.
5100
5000
4900
48001 1. Denderah.
4700
4600 1 1. Redesieh.
4500
4400
4300
420012 1, 2. Denderah (temple builtwhen both stars had an equal amplitude
4100
4000
3900
3800
3700 1 1. Barkal (E).
2 2. Kûrnah (Seti I.).
3 3. Memnonia (Western Temple).
3600 1 1. Kûrnah (Palace).
2 2. Barkal (B).
3500 1 1. Karnak (Z and X).
2 2. Dakkeh.
3 3. Denderah.
3400 1 1. Karnak (V).
3300
3200 1 1. Abu Simbel (Hathor Temple).
2 2. Karnak (Y).
3100 11. Karnak (Temple O) Gr.
2 2. Dêr el-Medinet (Gr.).
3000 1 1. Karnak (U).
2 2. Wady Halfa (Thothmes II.).
2900 1 1. Barkal (L).
2800 1 1. Wady Halfa (Thothmes III.).
2 2. Sabooa.
2700 11. Dêr el-Bahari.
2 2. Wady E. Sofra.
2600 1 1. Memnonia (Rameses II.)
(Mean of Fr. and Gr.).
2500 1 1. Karnak (W).
2 2. Karnak (J).
3 3. Medînet Habû (JJ).
2400 1 1. Kom Ombo (Little Temple).
2 2. Petit Temple du Sud (Memnonia).
3 3. Barkal (J and H).
2300 1 1. Annu (Restoration).
2200
2100 1 1. Karnak (B).
2 2. Semneh.
2000 11. Dosche.
1900 1 1. Tell el-Amarna.
1800 11. Karnak (D) Gr.
1700 1 1. Karnak (G).
2 2. Karnak (Seti II.).
1600
1500
1400 11. Naga (Temple g), Gr.
1300 1 1. Naga (Temple f).
1200 1 1. Karnak, (A.M.C).
2 2. Medînet Habû (Palace K K).
1100
1000 1 1. Karnak (Khons).
900
800 11. Philæ (Ethiopian Temple).
2 2. Medînet Habû (Ethiopian Temple).
700 11. Denderah (Isis Temple).

Gr. = German values of Orientation.
Fr. = French values of Orientation.