Editing Colossi of Memnon (section)

== Earthquakes ==

Soon after its construction the temple was destroyed by an earthquake, recently dated by the Armenian Institute of Seismology to around 1200 BC, which left only the two huge colossi at the entrance still standing. These were further destroyed by an earthquake in 27 BC, after which they were partly reconstructed by the Roman authorities.<ref>Archaeoseismological studies at the temple of Amenhotep III, Luxor, Egypt, Arkadi Karakhanyan et al, The Geological Society of America Special Paper 471, 2010</ref>

The 1200 BC earthquake also opened numerous chasms in the ground which meant that many statues were buried, some in pristine condition. These have been the subject of extensive restoration and excavation conducted by the Armenian/German archaeologist Hourig Sourouzian, who has revealed that the complex consisted of three pylons, each fronted by colossal statues, while at the far end a rectangular Temple complex consisted of a peristyle court surrounded by columns. So far four of the statues have been re-erected, with eight waiting to be re-erected, while some 200 statues or pieces of statues are in the Luxor Museum, some on display, others in store awaiting conservation.<ref>Sourouzian, H. and Lawler, A.; Unearthing Egypt's Greatest Temple, Smithsonian Magazine 38, 46–53.</ref>