For those of you planning to visit Karnak you should try and get to see The Cat Goddess Sekhmet.It's located within the Temple on a small sandy pathway off to your left as you are walking through the grounds.Not open to the public but if you slip the guard 5 Egyptian he will let you in.It is remarkably well preserved and she has the head of a lion with a cobra necklace.Not to be missed.

Ian

Thanks for that, is this the statue?

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Hi Mustaq.Yes she is, very old and didn't bite.

Ian

That is a beautiful statue; I've seen pictures of it before.

Interesting that you could see it. I'm not sure if I would take the chance to bribe the guard to let me see it. The archaeologist in me is just screaming "eep, no!"

Hi FourBear.I wouldn't let is worry you as quite a lot of people do it and it gives a bit of extra cash to the guards.

Ian

Some of the stonework in those temples are just amazing. It boggles my mind how they made such large, beautiful statues so long ago. The skill some of those people had will never be matched again.

I would agree with the workmanship, they are awesome. And to really be able to do that with primitive tools is mindboggleing to me. I do have a question though when you are visiting how do you know that you can tip a gaurd some money and they will let you in? Is it a common practice? I would be afraid that with my luck I would do something like this and they would look at me like I was nuts.

Hi Tater, The guard on both occasions I visited actually invited us in.So we didn't think twice about it and just gave him some dosh.About 5 Egyptian from memory. I would do it again although officially you are not allowed in.
Have a stroll round there and see whats going on.

Ian

Rik is right, you dont need to ask to be taken in places, most of the guardians will offer to take you for a small baksheesh! Go with them, its even more fun if its the police who take you.

If this is so common then why are they even off limits in the first place? Surely someone in charge is aware this happens. If they aren't doing anything about it, shouldn't they just open it up?