The history of the Karnak complex is largely the history of Thebes and its changing role in the culture.

Religious centers varied by region and with the establishment of the current capital of the unified culture that changed several times.

The city of Thebes does not appear to have been of great significance before the Eleventh Dynasty, and previous temple building here would have been relatively small, with shrines being dedicated to the early deities of Thebes, the Earth goddess Mut and Montu.

Early buildings had been destroyed by invaders.

The earliest known artifact found in the area of the temple will be a small, eight-sided temple from the Eleventh Dynasty, which mentions Amun-Re.