An Egyptian temple, located close to a royal tomb, where the mortuary cult of a king was carried out. It was a center for the performance of rites for the benefit of the dead king and a depository for offerings of food, etc. It was originally part of the funerary complex; in the New Kingdom, it came to be separated from the tomb, often by miles. In the Old and Middle Kingdoms (c 2575-2130 BC and 1938-1600 BC) the mortuary temple usually adjoined the pyramid and had an open, pillared court, storerooms, five elongated shrines, and a chapel containing a false door and an offering table. In the New Kingdom (1539-1075 BC) the kings were buried in rock-cut tombs, but separate mortuary temples were built nearby. All were provided with a staff of priests and assured of supplies through endowments of estates and lands to ensure religious services and offerings in perpetuity.