Temple of Hathor, Dendera Temple Complex, Qena, Egypt
© Nick Brundle Photography/Getty Image
Uncovering the past for the present. International Archaeology Day
Today, dig deep and unearth your inner Indiana Jones or Lara Croft on International Archaeology Day. Started in 2011, it occurs on the third Thursday in October, celebrating archaeology's benefits for society today. Global events include exhibits and hands-on excavations, some of which run throughout the month. Many national parks, historic landmarks and local museums in the United Kingdom also hold events. From Stonehenge to Hadrian's Wall, the day brings history lovers of all ages together for a little archaeological action.
One early adopter of International Archaeology Day was Egypt, in which the Temple of Hathor's ceiling can be seen in today's image. Part of the Dendera Temple Complex in Qena, Egypt, Hathor is one of the best preserved ancient Egyptian temples. While the current temple dates to Ptolemy XII and Cleopatra VII (around 50 BCE), evidence suggests that previous temples dedicated to Hathor, an Egyptian goddess of love and fertility, go back thousands of years earlier.
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