Small Aten Temple

Small Aten Temple is an archaeological temple complex at the Amarna site in Middle Egypt, in Minya Governorate, associated with the 18th-dynasty pharaoh Akhenaten. It was dedicated to the sun disk Aten and forms part of the religious architecture of the short-lived city of Akhetaten.

Ruins include foundations and column bases that reflect an open-air temple plan focused on direct sunlight and ritual access to the sky. The temple contrasts with other contemporary Egyptian temples by its emphasis on the solar cult and open spaces.

The complex dates to the mid-14th century BCE during Akhenaten’s reign when he established Akhetaten as a new capital and reorganised state religion around the Aten. Subsequent abandonment of the site occurred after Akhenaten’s successors moved the capital back to the Nile valley.

The Small Aten Temple is located at the archaeological site of Amarna (ancient Akhetaten) on the east bank of the Nile in Middle Egypt, roughly between the modern cities of Minya and Beni Suef in Minya Governorate.

• Site context: Part of the archaeological remains at Amarna, the site is associated with the city of Akhetaten and is visited from the modern town of el-Amarna and Minya.

Amarna (Tell el‑Amarna) is about 300 km south of Cairo and is usually reached by road from Minya city; local tourist operators in Minya and Luxor include Amarna in day-trip itineraries.

• Combine a visit with Amarna's other archaeological sites for context - the Small Aten Temple is part of a larger New Kingdom complex.
• Bring a hat and shade: the Middle Egyptian sun is strong and the site has limited shelter.