Northern Palace, Royal residence in Amarna, Egypt.
The Northern Palace is a rectangular building in Amarna, Egypt, located between the North Suburb and North City of the ancient site. It features a central courtyard, a decorated throne room, and limestone feeding troughs with tethering posts that indicate areas where animals were kept.
The palace was first built for Queen Kiya and later became the residence of Princess Meritaten, both figures of the 18th Dynasty. Excavations carried out in 1923 and 1924 uncovered the remains and showed how the building's use had changed over time.
The walls carry paintings of wetland plants, birds, and butterflies, painted in a style that was distinct to the Amarna period. These scenes are still visible on parts of the remaining surfaces and give a direct sense of how artists worked during that time.
The site has little shade, so bringing water and sun protection is strongly advised before arriving. The ground is uneven throughout, so solid footwear helps when walking among the stone remains and other features.
Three stepped stone platforms on a gypsum base face north and were paired with offering tables, an arrangement rarely found in ancient Egyptian buildings. This suggests the structure had a specialized religious function that went beyond its role as a residence.
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