The history of the Karnak complex is largely the history of thebes
and its changing role in the culture. Religious centers varied by
region and with the establishment of the current capital of the unified
culture that changed several times. The city of Thebes does not appear
to have been of great significance before the Eleventh Dynasty
and previous temple building here would have been relatively small,
with shrines being dedicated to the early deities of Thebes, the Earth
goddess MUT
and Montu
.
Early building was destroyed by invaders. The earliest known artifact
found in the area of the temple is a small, eight-sided temple from the
Eleventh Dynasty, which mentions Amun-Re. Amun (sometimes called Amen)
was long the local tutelary deity of Thebes. He was identified with the RAM and the Goose . The Egyptian meaning of Amun is, "hidden" or, the "hidden god
".
