ancient egyptian architecture

Ancient Egyptian Ancient Egyptian ArchitectureArchitecture

TopicsTopics Egyptian CivilizationEgyptian Civilization Egyptian Architectural CharacteristicsEgyptian Architectural Characteristics MastabasMastabas SaqqaraSaqqara Pyramid at MedumPyramid at Medum Khufu’s Pyramid at GizaKhufu’s Pyramid at Giza Additional Giza StructuresAdditional Giza Structures CharacteristicsCharacteristics Beni HasanBeni Hasan Mortuary TemplesMortuary Temples Middle Kingdom Mortuary TemplesMiddle Kingdom Mortuary Temples New Kingdom Mortuary TemplesNew Kingdom Mortuary Temples Egyptian Civil ArchitectureEgyptian Civil Architecture

Egyptian CivilizationEgyptian Civilization

Egypt and Mesopotamia are the Egypt and Mesopotamia are the earliest known recorded civilizationsearliest known recorded civilizations

Nile River was the driving force for Nile River was the driving force for ancient Egyptancient Egypt

Egyptians were obsessed with the Egyptians were obsessed with the afterlife and the deadafterlife and the dead These beliefs had a great impact on the These beliefs had a great impact on the

culture and its architectureculture and its architecture

Egyptian CivilizationEgyptian Civilization

Ancient Egyptian Periods:Ancient Egyptian Periods: Old Kingdom (c.3200 – 2158 B.C.E.)Old Kingdom (c.3200 – 2158 B.C.E.) Middle Kingdom (c. 2134 – 1786 B.C.E.)Middle Kingdom (c. 2134 – 1786 B.C.E.) New Kingdom (c.1570 – 1085 B.C.E.)New Kingdom (c.1570 – 1085 B.C.E.)

LandscapeLandscape Nile Valley cliffs provided a rich Nile Valley cliffs provided a rich

assortment of building stoneassortment of building stone Varieties include sandstone, granite, and Varieties include sandstone, granite, and

alluvial clay for bricksalluvial clay for bricks

Egyptian Architectural Egyptian Architectural CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Egyptians commonly imitated nature Egyptians commonly imitated nature in their architecturein their architecture In a historical sense, nature is a key In a historical sense, nature is a key

element in architecture, no matter the element in architecture, no matter the cultureculture

Only recently has this process been Only recently has this process been neglected neglected

Old Kingdom Architecture:Old Kingdom Architecture:Mastabas Mastabas

MastabasMastabas First known Egyptian tombsFirst known Egyptian tombs Bench-shaped masses rising above 30 ft.Bench-shaped masses rising above 30 ft. Composed generally of sun-baked mud Composed generally of sun-baked mud

brickbrick Featured sloping walls and a flat roofFeatured sloping walls and a flat roof Burial chamber usually was surrounded by Burial chamber usually was surrounded by

storage roomsstorage rooms Used to store goods for the deceased to take Used to store goods for the deceased to take

along their journey in the afterlifealong their journey in the afterlife

Old Kingdom Architecture:Old Kingdom Architecture:MastabasMastabas

MastabasMastabas SerdabsSerdabs

State chambers that State chambers that featured an effigy of featured an effigy of the deceased the deceased

False doors were False doors were included to allow for included to allow for the soul of the the soul of the deceased to escape deceased to escape the structurethe structure

Mastabas served as Mastabas served as a model for the later a model for the later Egyptian pyramidsEgyptian pyramids

Old Kingdom Architecture:Old Kingdom Architecture:MastabasMastabas

Old Kingdom Architecture:Old Kingdom Architecture:SaqqaraSaqqara

SaqqaraSaqqara Enormous funerary complex built by the Enormous funerary complex built by the

Great King Zoser in 2750 B.C.E.Great King Zoser in 2750 B.C.E. Key features:Key features:

Residence for the king in the afterlife Residence for the king in the afterlife (tomb)(tomb)

Replica of the royal palaceReplica of the royal palace Stage for the enactment for the rituals of Stage for the enactment for the rituals of

kingshipkingship


SaqqaraSaqqara Designed by ImhotepDesigned by Imhotep

The first recorded architect in historyThe first recorded architect in history Would later be considered a god by the Would later be considered a god by the

EgyptiansEgyptians First conceived as a mastaba with huge First conceived as a mastaba with huge

stone blocksstone blocks Unlike earlier mastabas which used mud-Unlike earlier mastabas which used mud-

bricksbricks


SaqqaraSaqqara The complex was repeatedly enlarged The complex was repeatedly enlarged

over timeover time Layers were added in an upward fashionLayers were added in an upward fashion

These additions by Imhotep eventually These additions by Imhotep eventually created the first Egyptian pyramidcreated the first Egyptian pyramid Step pyramidStep pyramid

Differs from the geometrically perfect pyramids Differs from the geometrically perfect pyramids (i.e. the Great Pyramids)(i.e. the Great Pyramids)

Successive layers of smaller structure added Successive layers of smaller structure added upwardsupwards


SaqqaraSaqqara Stands 204 ft. , present dayStands 204 ft. , present day Surrounded by a 33 ft. high wall Surrounded by a 33 ft. high wall Entrance HallEntrance Hall

Columns are used to imitate the bundles of Columns are used to imitate the bundles of reeds found along the Nilereeds found along the Nile

Real reeds were commonly used to Real reeds were commonly used to construct residential structures during this construct residential structures during this timetime


:

Old Kingdom Architecture:Old Kingdom Architecture:Pyramid at MedumPyramid at Medum

Pyramid at MedumPyramid at Medum c. 2704 – 2656 B.C.E.c. 2704 – 2656 B.C.E. Demonstrates Egyptian attempts at building a Demonstrates Egyptian attempts at building a

steeped, rather than stepped pyramidsteeped, rather than stepped pyramid Geometrically perfect pyramidGeometrically perfect pyramid Requires at least a 52° angle from the horizontalRequires at least a 52° angle from the horizontal

Outer layers were insufficiently supportedOuter layers were insufficiently supported Gave way to the immense pressureGave way to the immense pressure

Old Kingdom Architecture:Old Kingdom Architecture:Pyramid at MedumPyramid at Medum

Old Kingdom Architecture:Old Kingdom Architecture:Khufu’s Pyramid at GizaKhufu’s Pyramid at Giza

Pyramid at GizaPyramid at Giza The first successful steep pyramidThe first successful steep pyramid Created by the great pharaoh Khufu Created by the great pharaoh Khufu

(Cheops in Greek) (Cheops in Greek) Also known as the Great PyramidAlso known as the Great Pyramid Originally 482 ft. high on a plan of 760 Originally 482 ft. high on a plan of 760

ft.ft. Modern scientists remain puzzled on its Modern scientists remain puzzled on its

constructionconstruction


Khufu’s Pyramid at Khufu’s Pyramid at GizaGiza Many scientists Many scientists

theorize its massive theorize its massive stone blocks were stone blocks were quarried and quarried and transported by large transported by large sleds and bargessleds and barges

Blocks were then Blocks were then lifted atop ramps to lifted atop ramps to be placed at higher be placed at higher levelslevels


Khufu’s Pyramid at GizaKhufu’s Pyramid at Giza Queen’s ChamberQueen’s Chamber

The original burial place The original burial place Located underground, beneath the Great Located underground, beneath the Great

PyramidPyramid King’s ChamberKing’s Chamber

Replaced the original chamberReplaced the original chamber Constructed within the pyramid itselfConstructed within the pyramid itself Considered one of the finest examples of Considered one of the finest examples of

megalithic architecture in existencemegalithic architecture in existence


Khufu’s Pyramid at GizaKhufu’s Pyramid at Giza Grand GalleryGrand Gallery

Grandiose passage leading from the Grandiose passage leading from the entrance to the King’s Chamberentrance to the King’s Chamber

Originally intended to be used only once, for Originally intended to be used only once, for the king’s burialthe king’s burial

Old Kingdom Architecture:Old Kingdom Architecture:Additional Giza StructuresAdditional Giza Structures

ChefrenChefren Followed the Great Followed the Great

Pyramid in Pyramid in constructionconstruction

c. 2530 B.C.E.c. 2530 B.C.E. Built for the Built for the

pharaoh Chefrenpharaoh Chefren Smaller than the Smaller than the

Great PyramidGreat Pyramid

Old Kingdom Architecture:Old Kingdom Architecture:Additional Giza StructuresAdditional Giza Structures

MycerinusMycerinus Built after Built after

Chefren’s PyramidChefren’s Pyramid c. 2500 B.C.E.c. 2500 B.C.E. The last of the The last of the

large Egyptian large Egyptian steep pyramidssteep pyramids

Middle and New Kingdom:Middle and New Kingdom:CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Egyptian tombs return to below the Egyptian tombs return to below the groundground Many tombs begin to appear in the cliffs of the Many tombs begin to appear in the cliffs of the

Nile ValleyNile Valley Builders decide to sacrifice the Builders decide to sacrifice the

monumentality of tombs for security from monumentality of tombs for security from grave robbersgrave robbers Shaft tombsShaft tombs

Long, underground corridors and chambers Long, underground corridors and chambers hollowed out of Nile Valley cliffshollowed out of Nile Valley cliffs

Little architectural significanceLittle architectural significance

Middle and New Kingdom:Middle and New Kingdom:Beni HasanBeni Hasan

Beni HasanBeni Hasan 125 miles upstream from Giza on the 125 miles upstream from Giza on the

East bank of the Nile RiverEast bank of the Nile River Hollowed out of the Nile Valley cliffsHollowed out of the Nile Valley cliffs Features:Features:

Colonnaded portico for public worshipColonnaded portico for public worship Combined chapel and effigy chamberCombined chapel and effigy chamber

Middle and New Kingdom:Middle and New Kingdom:Beni HasanBeni Hasan

Middle and New Kingdom:Middle and New Kingdom:Mortuary TemplesMortuary Temples

Mortuary TemplesMortuary Temples Followed the decline of the pyramids Followed the decline of the pyramids

and the concealment of burial chambersand the concealment of burial chambers Developed into Egypt’s most important Developed into Egypt’s most important

monumental formmonumental form Funerary complexes set before the Old Funerary complexes set before the Old

Kingdom pyramids are some of the most Kingdom pyramids are some of the most striking mortuary templesstriking mortuary temples


Mortuary TemplesMortuary Temples Usually comprised of three Usually comprised of three

interconnected parts:interconnected parts: A temple near the Nile where the king’s A temple near the Nile where the king’s

body was embalmedbody was embalmed A mortuary temple where rituals were A mortuary temple where rituals were

performedperformed A long, narrow causeway between thick A long, narrow causeway between thick

walls connecting the two templeswalls connecting the two temples


Temple Complex of KhafreTemple Complex of Khafre One of the most impressive preserved temple complex’sOne of the most impressive preserved temple complex’s

Middle and New Kingdom:Middle and New Kingdom:Middle Kingdom Mortuary Middle Kingdom Mortuary

TemplesTemples The SphinxThe Sphinx

Represented the Represented the god Re-Harakthe god Re-Harakthe on guard over the on guard over the king’s tombking’s tomb

Contained an Contained an intricately intricately constructed set of constructed set of interiorsinteriors


TemplesTemples Mortuary Complex of Mentuhotep IIMortuary Complex of Mentuhotep II

Located at the base of the cliff at Dier el Located at the base of the cliff at Dier el BahariBahari

The first monumental structure against The first monumental structure against the Nile Valley cliffs in Egyptian the Nile Valley cliffs in Egyptian architecturearchitecture

Huge complex developed some 500 Huge complex developed some 500 years after the decline of the pyramidsyears after the decline of the pyramids


TemplesTemples


TemplesTemples Mortuary Temple of Queen Mortuary Temple of Queen

HatshepsutHatshepsut Dedicated to the sun god Amon-Ra Dedicated to the sun god Amon-Ra Located next to the Mortuary Complex of Located next to the Mortuary Complex of

Mentuhotep IIMentuhotep II Built some 500 years laterBuilt some 500 years later

Considered the “least Egyptian” of the Considered the “least Egyptian” of the Egyptian monumentsEgyptian monuments Closest Egyptians ever came to the Closest Egyptians ever came to the

architecture of Classical Greecearchitecture of Classical Greece


TemplesTemples

Middle and New Kingdom:Middle and New Kingdom:New Kingdom Mortuary New Kingdom Mortuary

TemplesTemples ThebesThebes

Originally built in two locations on the Originally built in two locations on the East bank of the Nile RiverEast bank of the Nile River

Known today as Karnak and LuxorKnown today as Karnak and Luxor Connected by great avenues of Connected by great avenues of

SphinxesSphinxes


TemplesTemples



Temple of KhonsTemple of Khons Erected around Erected around

1100 B.C.E.1100 B.C.E. Original temple that Original temple that

other structures other structures would be modeled would be modeled after in the after in the construction of construction of ThebesThebes



Temple of AmunTemple of Amun Features two giant Features two giant

obelisks that were obelisks that were created for visual created for visual accent to the structureaccent to the structure

Obelisks tested Obelisks tested Egyptian builders to Egyptian builders to the fullthe full

Great complexity, Great complexity, detail, and sheer detail, and sheer sizesize

Created from two Created from two giant stonesgiant stones

Middle and New Kingdom:Middle and New Kingdom:Egyptian Civil ArchitectureEgyptian Civil Architecture

Evidence shows that life in Egypt Evidence shows that life in Egypt was somewhat secularwas somewhat secular Evidence of country houses and cities Evidence of country houses and cities

where trade flourishedwhere trade flourished


Town of Tell el AmarnaTown of Tell el Amarna Early example of Egyptian urban Early example of Egyptian urban

planningplanning Lies between Luxor and CairoLies between Luxor and Cairo Features:Features:

Large estates for the wealthyLarge estates for the wealthy Smaller houses for middle classSmaller houses for middle class Shows signs of slum areasShows signs of slum areas

ReferencesReferences Sullivan, Mary; Sullivan, Mary;

http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/ http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/

wdpt1.htmlwdpt1.html Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From Trachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From

Prehistory to PostmodernityPrehistory to Postmodernity Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western Wodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western

ArchitectureArchitecture

Ancient and Ancient and Egyptian Egyptian

ArchitectureArchitecture

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Documents

timeold kingdom architecture

egyptian attempts

medumkhufus pyramid

great king zoser

great impact

deceased false doors

mastabas mastabasfirst

imitated nature