The Velvet Rocket

The focus here is on the temple of the ram god Amun in Naga, which is approximately 100 meters in length.

After approaching the Temple of Amun by a major ramp from the west, one passes through an alley of ram statues placed on plinths which is followed by the so-called kiosk, a kind of way-station before the main gateway to the temple.

After this a second ram alley leads to the main gate of the temple building. Originally statuettes of the king Natakamani (who founded this temple at the beginning of the 1st century AD together with his wife queen Amanitore) stood between the forelegs of the ram but all of these have been broken off and seem lost in the past.

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The alley of ram statues:

Inside the Temple of Amun:

Of interest, and right next to the Temple of Amun, is this busy nomadic watering hole:

Plastic jugs waiting to be filled… Some of the nomads come from days away and have to stock up on a lot of water:

These men are helping draw the water out of the well:

The water is 85 meters down:

Since water is heavy and is so far down in this instance, these donkeys are used to draw it out:

The donkeys walk to the end of the rope to pull the water out and then return to the well to lower the buckets back down – it’s a continuous circle:

These canvas “buckets” are what the water is drawn up with and then deposited in these rock-lined holes for the animals to drink from:

Goats, sheep and donkeys waiting for water in the shade: