Archeologists and Egyptologists study Luxor Temple constantly, scaling its walls and digging through its foundations in search of clues about its past and the people that built it. This photo highlights the layered nature of that search, from the hieroglyphs on the outside walls through to the stunningly decorated walls of inner rooms. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

On the fertile banks of the Nile River about midway between the Sudanese border in the south and Cairo in the north lies the bustling modern town of Luxor. Once the capital of ancient Egypt it was called Thebes and is the home to two of the greatest temples of ancient times: Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple. This photograph shows a part of the impressive Luxor Temple complex sidelit by a setting sun. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

The front walls and imposing obelisk of Luxor Temple backlit by the setting sun and frontlit by flood lights. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Downtown Cairo was built up along the banks of the Nile River. At night Cairo is as noisy and vibrant as it is during the day but it possesses elements of beauty that are not there in daylight. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Looking at downtown Cairo and the Nile from our hotel we see the July 26th Street Bridge and the cars streaking along it at night. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Kom Ombo Temple on the shores of the Nile River at dusk. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

As the sun set the lights came on affording a spectacular view of the Temple of Kom Ombo overlooking the Nile River between Aswan and Luxor. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

The Sphinx lies peacefully guarding the Pyramids at Giza. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

On the Giza plain two of the three Great Pyramids stand out as the magnificent tributes to the Pharaohs who commissioned their construction. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

The Great Pyramid of Giza - notice the camel and rider as well as a number of people walking along the base of the Pyramid (enlarge the photo for a better look). The camel is much farther from the base of the Pyramid than you would think. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

The Great Pyramid at Giza - People ascending to a small opening a few tiers up from the base. The sheer mountainous immensity of the pyramid is daunting when seen in person. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Lonely travelers on foot and camel in the desert west of Cairo on the great Giza plain. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Palms on the lush banks of the Nile River south of Luxor, Egypt. Just a mile inland the desert begins, dry and windswept for 2,000 miles. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Faluccas (small sailing vessels) glide along the Nile near Luxor under the hilltop memorial to a local prominent citizen. ©Gerald Diamond All Rights Reserved

On the Nile River just south of Luxor - A small shrine to a local Luxor man sits atop a hill on the West bank of the river overlooking the city which lies across the river on the East side. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Dunes on the Eastern fringe of the Egyptian desert overlooking the Nile River. Two men sit at sunset and contemplate... ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

A small island in the Nile River near Luxor, Egypt sprouts a few trees and some small underbrush. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Faluccas take to the Nile at sunset for a breathtaking sail near Luxor, Egypt. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

An Egyptian "Huck Finn" and his buddies coming back from an expedition harvesting reeds on the Nile River. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Dusk is closing in on the Nile and its rich farmland in this shot taken just south of Luxor in central Egypt. A tour boat glides by, donkeys, cows and even water buffalo graze. A few herders laze around. And off in the distance rise the desert mountains that separate the lush farms from the austere desert that expands westward for 2,000 miles. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Along the Nile many small Egyptian towns cling closely to the river. It is their primary source of water and is often the center of focus for boys' games. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

A Silent Story Of Four People: In an Egyptian village on the banks of the NIle towards dusk a few people go about their daily business. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Delivering propane the old-fashioned way. In many of Egypt's towns and villages donkeys intermingle with cars, small trucks and horses pulling tourists in small buggies. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved

Street Scene - typical street in towns and cities of Egypt from Aswan north to Luxor. In this photograph a number of vendors crowd closely together. ©Gerald Diamond All rights reserved