A standard feature of major Graeco-Roman Period temples, the birth house (mammisi in Coptic) was usually a small separate temple located in front of and at right angles with the main temple. Rituals were performed for the child of the main deity, of the temple in it, and his birth was celebrated. The mammisi lies south-west of the temple of Horus, and is perpendicular to it. The layout of this miniature temple is an abbreviated version of a large temple's: An open-air courtyard fronts the inner area that contains the sanctuary. This core area is surrounded by columns connected with low screen walls decorated with beautiful reliefs.