A Glimpse of the site of Karnak prior to the New Kingdom
Helen Jaquet-Gordon

The extent of the preserved remains at the site of Karnak tends to obscure the fact that very little is known about the inhabited areas which must at all times have surrounded the temple complex. Excavations of the IFAO at Karnak North have brought to light interesting remains dating to periods preceding the New Kingdom which indicate that during the 2nd Intermediate Period and as far back as the XIIth dynasty a habitation site occupied an extensive area to the north of the temple complex.