Dendera, Temple of Time: The Celestial Wisdom of Ancient Egypt

A full-colour exploration of the encoded ceiling at the Temple of Dendera. Egypt is famous for its pyramids, the Sphinx, the temples at Luxor, and the Valley of the Kings, but 40 miles north of Luxor lies the best-preserved temple complex in all of Egypt: The Temple of Dendera, known for the famous “Zodiac of Dendera” now housed in the Louvre Museum. Within the portico leading into the Hathor temple at Dendera is a little-known outstanding achievement of humanity: an extensive colored bas-relief—larger than the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel—meticulously encoded with the sophisticated astronomical knowledge of ancient Egypt. Drawing on more than 5,000 high-resolution photographs he has taken at the Temple of Dendera, photographer and computer scientist José María Barrera presents a complete full-colour photographic reconstruction of the ceiling of the pronaos at Dendera and reveals in detail how each panel represents celestial cycles of time from the Precession of the Equinoxes to the annual cycles of life found along the Nile. He explains the meaning of the layout of the ceiling as it relates to the present, the past, eternity, the hours of the day, the phases of the moon, the constellations used in ancient Egyptian astronomy, and the Great Solar Year. The author provides detailed analysis of each panel, including close-up photos, and explains each panel’s astronomical and spiritual significance from the ancient Egyptian perspective as well as examining the myths, gods, and goddesses depicted. He also includes an appendix exploring the meaning and symbology of ancient Egyptian iconography. Allowing you to experience the vivid details of this ancient work of art and science, this photographic exploration also recreates the sense of spiritual awe and power the Temple of Dendera radiates to its visitors, whether today or millennia ago.

Table of Contents:
Foreword by Bob Brier Acknowledgments Note to the Reader Introduction The Land of Cycles The Temples of Egypt The Astronomical Function of the Temples Measuring Time Ancient Egyptian Astronomy The Temple of Hathor at Dendera Description of the Temple The Pronaos of the Temple The Ceiling of the Pronaos The Central Panel East Panel I • The Diurnal Journey of Re • East Panel I (upper track) • East Panel I (lower track) West Panel I • Fertility and the Moon • The Waning of the Moon • The New Moon • The Waxing of the Moon • The Eye of Horus • The Heliopolitan Ennead • Thoth • Montu • Atum • Tefnut and Shu • Nut and Geb • Osiris • Isis • Horus, Son of Isis • Nephthys • Hathor • Horus of Edfu • Tanenet • Iunit • West Panel I (days of the lunar month) • The Full Moon East Panel II and West Panel II • The Decans • East Panel II (upper track) • East Panel II (upper track, the epagomenal days) • West Panel II (upper track) • East Panel II (lower track) • West Panel II (lower track) East Panel III and West Panel III • The Annual Cycle • East Panel III (upper track) • West Panel III (upper track) • Nut, Death, and Rebirth • Cancer/Khepri • Gemini • Taurus • Aries • Pisces • Aquarius • Capricorn • Sagittarius • Scorpius • Libra • Virgo • Leo • Mercury • Venus • Mars • Jupiter • Saturn • The Big Dipper • The Solar Eclipse • Sirius/Sothis • Orion/Sah • Satet and Anuket • East Panel III (lower track) • West Panel III (lower track) Epilogue Appendix A: Egyptian Iconography Appendix B: Back to Life Appendix C: The Taken Ceiling Appendix D: The Description de l’Égypte Appendix E: French Savants’ Depictions of the Ceiling Bibliography Index

About the Author :
José María Barrera, a software engineer and application architect specializing in data representation and languages, has been fascinated by alchemy and Egyptian culture for more than 20 years. An avid photographer, his work has been exhibited in galleries in Chicago and New York City and sold at Sotheby’s Auctions. Born in Colombia, he holds a master’s degree in computer science. He lives in New York City.

Review :
“José María Barrera presents a very clear depiction of the color ceiling in the pronaos of the Hathor temple at Dendera. Brilliant photographs are accompanied by the precise locations. A detailed high-quality overview of the complete ceiling includes panels and architrave undersides. This book’s main subject is the description of all the figures depicted at the panels of the ceiling, which are a representation of the old Egyptian calendar and sky visualizations of the Greco-Roman time in Egypt. These not only represent genuine traditional old Egyptian gods of time and the known celestial bodies but also the inclusion of the zodiacal signs of Babylonian-Greco origin. This is an exceptionally well-suited introduction into early astronomy and concepts of time of this advanced civilization for non-professionals and professionals likewise.” “A wonderfully illustrated book that gives an excellent overview of the decoration on the ceiling of the pronaos at Dendera.” “Behold a timeless tome, where the celestial tapestry depicted on the ceiling of the pronaos inside the ancient Egyptian temple at Dendera unfolds, woven with astrological threads by the remarkable author José María Barrera in this captivating work of scholarly allure. Finally! A book that unravels the entire ethereal procession of ancient Egyptian gods sailing through the night sky. With resplendent high-resolution photographs and meticulous research, Barrera unveils the profound connection between the cosmos and humanity and the stars as depicted on the ancient temple’s ceiling, unveiling the meaning concealed within.” “A book of astonishing beauty! A before and after in our vision of ancient Egyptian skies through the astronomical ceiling of the Hypostyle Hall of the Temple of Dendera. Barrera will not disappoint anyone.” “A triumph of historical splendor. Not only does José María Barrera expose us to the glorious living color of Egyptian antiquity, but his expert photographic re-creations and learned text elucidate the mysteries and encrypted ideas of the ceiling of the Temple of Dendera like no other work available.” “This book with its clear and beautiful pictures allows its reader to perceive and admire all the details of the reliefs, even those that are usually hidden from the naked eye. It was like seeing Dendera for the first time again.” “Ancient Egyptians thoroughly understood the 26,000-year cycle of the twelve 2,160-year Great Ages. They recorded this sacred record of time on the exquisite ceiling of the Dendera temple, and now José María Barrera has decoded it! The Egyptians taught the people to live according to this harmony for thousands of years—the attunement we need for survival. Read José María Barrera’s book!” “Finding the right words to describe the Temple of Hathor at Dendera is nigh impossible. José María Barrera has achieved it in this valuable pictorial study of the Hypostyle Hall ceiling when he concluded that it ‘should not exist, yet does indeed exist.’ For many reasons, I totally agree with him.” “A great artist who presents different parts of the Dendera temple for the modern eye.”