A site in NUBIA, modern Sudan, Amada was where a temple dedicated to the gods AMUN and Re Horakhte was started by TUTHMOSIS IV (r. 1401–1391 B.C.E.) and decorated by AMENHOTEP III (r. 1391–1353 B.C.E.). Tuthmosis IV extended the shrine during his reign. The shrine is noted for fine reliefs in color and for images of MESSUY, the viceroy of Kush, as Nubia was called. MERENPTAH’s cartouches are also preserved there. Messuy’s depiction at Amada led to his identification in some eras with Amunmesses, a usurper following Merenptah’s reign (1224–1214 B.C.E.).
The great temple at Amada was erected by RAMESSES II (r. 1290–1224 B.C.E.) with pillared halls and Osiride statues of that pharaoh. Two stelae, one dedicated to Amun-Re and the other announcing the arrival of a HITTITE princess as Ramesses II’s bride, were found there. Elaborate paintings, vestibules, a sanctuary, and a chapel to the god THOTH complete the temple design. Two more stelae, honoring various officials of the eras, were also discovered on the site. The temple of Amada was moved when the ASWAN High Dam was constructed.
