At the very top of the temple facade are the remains of a frieze that originally included 22 seated baboons facing forward–that is, toward the east. For the ancient Egyptians, these animals were symbols of the rising sun because, in nature, they begin to chatter at sunup. Their placement is appropriate, as it allowed them to “greet” the sunrise. Above the entrance of the temple was a relief statue of the sun god Re-Horakhty. Choose the sentence that best explains the reason for the location of the 22 seated baboons on the temple.
1. The baboons were located on the temple because they are a reminder of the importance of the sun in ancient Egyptian culture.
2. The placement of the baboons allowed them to greet the sunrise.
3. The baboons were positioned to face the west as a symbol of death.
4. The relief statue above the entrance represented the baboons’ role in the afterlife.
The correct answer is:
2. The placement of the baboons allowed them to greet the sunrise.
Explanation: The baboons were positioned facing east, which aligns with their significance as symbols of the rising sun. They would “greet” the sunrise, emphasizing their role in ancient Egyptian culture as indicators of dawn. This aligns perfectly with the context given in the passage.