The Botanical Garden of Thutmosis III

The Botanical Garden of Thutmosis III is an Ancient Egyptian structure decorated with intricate engravings of plants and animals from all over the ancient Near East. It features depictions of 275 different types of plants, prompting early French Egyptologists to call it a "botanical garden". The structure was built in the New Kingdom period during the reign of Thutmosis III (r. 1479 – 1425 BC).

This structure is part of the Precinct of Amun-Re in the vast Karnak Temple Complex at Luxor. Thutmosis III was interested in the native flora and fauna of his newly-acquired territories as he expanded Egypt's borders through conquest. He is traditionally said to have introduced the iris, among other plants, to Egypt.

The structure consisted of three rooms and two antechambers that lead to the largest sanctuary of the complex. This large sanctuary is considered the Botanical Garden proper. The "botanical garden" consists of two rows: the upper row contains the engraved plants, and the lower row contains the engraved animals.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons