The Ruins of Elephantine Island. Aswan, Egypt

"The temple of Khnum stood near the center of the ancient settlement and, like most Egyptian temples, must have undergone enlargement during different period. With the arrival of the Romans the temples of Elephantine were once again extended and embellished, and the latest decoration in the temple of Khnum, in fact, dates to the reign of Antoninus Pius (A.D. 138-61). After Christianity was proclaimed the religion of the Roman empire, part of the temple was converted into a church, that there was some destruction. More destruction occured later when section of the temple was used to accomodate the legion that controlled the southern frontiers of Egypt in Byzantine times. The barracks were two-story structures of mud-brick built between the columns of the inner court and in the spacious outer court. After the Arab conquest of Egypt and the departure of the legion, the temple was transformed into contemporary domestic housing." [Kamil Jill, 1993: Aswan and Abu Simbel, History and Guide. The American University in Cairo Press]. This photograph was taken when Eliot Elisofon was on assignment for American Institute of Architects, directing the Egyptian portion of the documentary on Ancient Egypt, March 1965 and September 1965.