A key issue in understanding the sacred landscape of Thebes is the origin of god Montu and
how his cult, and system of temples, changed through time and in relationship to other gods.
He had several temples built for him in the Theban region including those at the closely
connected sites of Armant and Tod south of Thebes, and also at Medamoud north-east of
Karnak. One aspect of Montu is his division into multiple forms, particularly visible by the time
of the new kingdom where he can manifest himself in the form of four Montus connected with
the four primary cult places of the Theban nome: Thebes proper, Tod, Armant and
Medamoud. A network that could imply an originally linked series of Theban religious sites
defined by the rituals and festivals dedicated to Montu. The evolution of Montu within a cultic
and temple framework of the Theban nome is an issue yet to be resolved. However, the
comparatively limited state of excavation and publication of these sites complicates the
analysis and has led to various controversies such as that regarding the specific origin of Montu.