As O'Conner himself writes, there was "considerable variation in detail, plan, architecture and decoration" due to different popular styles during the construction of the temples. Abu Simbel is no different as the entire temple was built into the side of a cliff rather than a block of stone. This could be attributed to the lack of stone quarries in Nubia, as the large quarries at Aswan were far north of the temple complex and therefore logistically impractical for transporting material. However, I believe that Abu Simbel was built into the cliffs as a show of power for the conquered Nubian people and those who would attack Egypt as Ramesses was seen "as Egypt's patron god in the frontier areas... to the south ". Additionally, although the entrance to the Sun Temple faces east, the temple's layout only allows the sun to reach the shrine twice a year during the solstice months of February and October. During this time, the sun shone on a statue of Ramesses, rejuvenating him through the sun's power. I believe Ramesses used this aspect to show his control over the sun as only a god could, thus strengthening the belief that he was a god among men. Finally, there are deviations in the temple plan, including the absence of a courtyard and several warehouses (stores) branching off the area