ASU – Ain Shams University Faculty of Engineering Department of Architectural Engineering ARC 122: History & Theory of Architecture Fall 2017 Instructor: Dr. Yasser Mahgoub
Lecture 8 - Ancient Egyptian Graphic History of Architecture
Egyptian Civilization • Egypt and Mesopotamia are the earliest known recorded civilizations.
Egyptian Civilization • Ancient Egypt is one of the most influential civilizations throughout history, which developed a vast array of diverse structures and great architectural monuments along the Nile, including pyramids and temples. • Nile River was the driving force for ancient Egypt.
Characteristics • Landscape – Nile Valley cliffs provided a rich assortment of building stone • Varieties include sandstone, granite, and alluvial clay for bricks
Characteristics • Water was an essential ingredient for the Egyptian Life. Egypt is the gift of the Nile as revealed by Herodotus 484 BC. • The Egyptian nation was shaped by the Nile. • Engineers learned to survey, to level and to organize large working groups. • The Nile acted as a transportation means for different building materials. •
The chariot was introduced later in the Egyptian Civilization.
Characteristics • Due to the scarcity of wood, the two predominant building materials used in ancient Egypt were sun-baked mud brick and stone, mainly limestone, but also sandstone and granite in considerable quantities.
Characteristics • From the Old Kingdom onward, stone was generally reserved for tombs and temples, while bricks were used even for royal palaces, fortresses, the walls of temple precincts and towns, and for subsidiary buildings in temple complexes.
Ancient Egyptian house models, MuseĂŠ du Louvre, Paris, France. Models of houses were often buried in Egyptian tombs to help give the souls of the dead a place to call home in the afterlife.
Ancient Egypt
The Egyptian history is divided to three kingdoms: 1. The Old Kingdom. From the 1st to the 8th dynasties (29202134 BC). The era of the Old Pyramids 2. The Middle Kingdom. From 11th to the 13th dynasties (2040-1640 BC). The era of life Middle and death. The synthesis between temples and tombs 3. The New kingdom from 18th New to the 20th dynasties (1550 – 1070 BC). The era of temples
• 1st to the 8th D. • 2920 BC - 2134 BC
• 11th to the 13th D. • 2040 BC - 1640 BC
• 18th to the 20th D. • 1550 BC – 1070 BC
Characteristics • The history of Egypt begins in the year 3000BC, by the union of the Lower and Upper parts of Egypt by king Menes who established his kingdom in Memphis. He was represented by Falcon Headed God Horus. • When the pharaoh dies he is identified as Osiris the lord of the Underworld, and his successor resumes his role as the new Horus.
Characteristics • The Egyptian Theology links Horus with Osiris and The God of the Sun RA, whose is symbolized by the Sun. • The pyramid shape on the top of the obelisk or the pyramid itself represents this linkage between life and death, between up and down and finally between the underworld and the upper world.
The Seated Scribe • About 4,600 years old. • Very informal sculpture, not rigid. • Not a king, but extremely important because he could write. • Meant for the interior of a tomb – the afterlife. • The sculpture was discovered in 1850 and dated to the period of the 4th Dynasty, 2620–2500 BCE. It is currently part of a permanent collection of Egyptian antiquities in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Egyptian Civilization • Egyptians were obsessed with the afterlife and the dead. These beliefs had a great impact on the culture and its architecture.
The Book of the Dead
Book of the Dead • Modern name of an ancient Egyptian funerary text. • Text consists of a number of magic spells intended to assist a dead person’s journey through the underworld and into the afterlife. • The deceased was required to pass a series of gates, caverns and mounds guarded by supernatural creatures.
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids • Mastabas: • It is the earliest tom forms. • They were built as eternal homes. They were built from durable materials like bricks while retaining characteristic details of living like bundle reed columns that connect life with death in architecture.
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids • Mastabas – First known Egyptian tombs – Bench-shaped masses rising above 10 M. – Composed generally of sun-baked mud brick – Featured sloping walls and a flat roof – Burial chamber usually was surrounded by storage rooms used to store goods for the deceased to take along their journey in the afterlife
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids • Mastabas: • The basic design of a Mastaba is a block like structure above the ground level containing a small room for offerings with a statue of the deceased in this room. • There is a tunnel in this room called a Serdab that leads to the underground where the kings’ mummy rests in it.
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids • Mastabas – Serdabs – State chambers that featured an statue of the deceased – False doors were included to allow for the soul of the deceased to escape the structure – Mastabas served as a model for the later Egyptian pyramids
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids
Map of the Giza Plateau, showing the mastabas constructed within the complex
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids • From Mastaba to Pyramids: • Mastabas were enlarged to form a pyramid. • Pyramids symbolized a lifting skyward trend of the Pharos’s body from the earth to the sky. • The pyramid form represented an upward sloping form whose peak caught the sun rays of the morning.
The First Known Architect in History
The First Known Architect in History Imhotep: • The very first architect in history was Imhotep. • As one of the officials of the Pharaoh Zoser, he designed the Pyramid of Zoser (the Step Pyramid) at Saqqara in Egypt in 2630 – 2611 BC.
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids Imhotep: • He is credited for designing the first funerary complex at Saqqara, the first stone construction in Egypt. • He may have been responsible for the first known use of columns in architecture.
Old Kingdom Architecture: Saqqara The Stepped Pyramid: • It began in its original design as a mastaba and was raised to six stepped pyramid in the sky. • The pyramid was covered by lime stone; while the whole complex represented the earthy palace of Imhotep on earth.
Old Kingdom Architecture: Saqqara The Stepped Pyramid: • It is a rectangular form covering 35 acres and surrounded by a wall of 10 M (33 feet) high with only one entrance, that leads to a narrow colonnaded processional hall. • At the end of the colonnaded way one enters a great central court that is dominated by Zoser stepped pyramid that rises 60 M (197 feet) above the ground level on a 121 M (397ft) X 109 M (358 ft) base.
Old Kingdom Architecture: Saqqara • Saqqara – Enormous funerary complex built by the Great King Zoser in 2750 B.C. – Key features: • Residence for the king in the afterlife (tomb) • Replica of the royal palace • Stage for the enactment for the rituals of kingship
Old Kingdom Architecture: Saqqara • Saqqara – Designed by Imhotep • The first recorded architect in history • Would later be considered a god by the Egyptians
– First conceived as a mastaba with huge stone blocks • Unlike earlier mastabas which used mud-bricks
Old Kingdom Architecture: Saqqara • Saqqara – The complex was repeatedly enlarged over time • Layers were added in an upward fashion
– These additions by Imhotep eventually created the first Egyptian pyramid • Step pyramid – Differs from the geometrically perfect pyramids (i.e. the Great Pyramids) – Successive layers of smaller structure added upwards
Old Kingdom Architecture: Saqqara • Saqqara – Stands 204 ft. , present day – Surrounded by a 33 ft. high wall – Entrance Hall • Columns are used to imitate the bundles of reeds found along the Nile • Real reeds were commonly used to construct residential structures during this time
Old Kingdom Architecture: Saqqara
Old Kingdom Architecture: Saqqara
Old Kingdom Architecture: Saqqara
Old Kingdom Architecture: Saqqara
Old Kingdom Architecture: Saqqara The Stepped Pyramid: • All columns were covered by reeds in stone and papyrus as a literal connection between life and death.
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids The Evolution of Pyramids. 1. Stepped Pyramid at Saqqara 2. Snefreu Pyramid at Meidum. Pyramid began as a stepped core of 7 steps which was transformed as a true pyramid by adding an outer layer to the steppes. Due to its steep inclination the outer layer collapsed.
Old Kingdom Architecture: Pyramid at Medum • Pyramid at Medum – c. 2704 – 2656 B.C. – Demonstrates Egyptian attempts at building a steeped, rather than stepped pyramid • Geometrically perfect pyramid • Requires at least a 52° angle from the horizontal
– Outer layers were insufficiently supported • Gave way to the immense pressure
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids The Evolution of Pyramids. 3. Dahshur Pyramid. It is named the bent pyramid and have a smaller inclination of 41 degrees to prevent its collapse as in Senefru pyramid. Its stability is gained from the reduction of its inclination and strong lime stone covering of the exterior.
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids The Evolution of Pyramids. 4. The true pyramid at Giza is an example of a 4th dynasty pyramid. It is designed on a true base of 230 M (755 ft x 755 ft) with an inclination of 51 degrees. Its height is 146 M (481 ft) above the ground level.
Old Kingdom Architecture: Khufu’s Pyramid at Giza • Pyramid at Giza – The first successful steep pyramid – Created by the great pharaoh Khufu (Cheops in Greek) – Also known as the Great Pyramid – Originally 482 ft. high on a plan of 760 ft. – Modern scientists remain puzzled on its construction
Old Kingdom Architecture: Khufu’s Pyramid at Giza • Khufu’s Pyramid at Giza – Grand Gallery • Grandiose passage leading from the entrance to the King’s Chamber • Originally intended to be used only once, for the king’s burial
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids The Evolution of Pyramids. 4. The true pyramid at Giza It has three burial chambers. The roughly finished one represents the underworld and lies underground. The middle room is the tunnel that finally leads to the third burial room of Cheops these chambers have ventilating shafts connected to the exterior.
Old Kingdom Architecture: Khufu’s Pyramid at Giza
Old Kingdom Architecture: Khufu’s Pyramid at Giza • Khufu’s Pyramid خوفو – Many scientists theorize its massive stone blocks were quarried and transported by large sleds and barges – Blocks were then lifted atop ramps to be placed at higher levels
Old Kingdom Architecture: Khufu’s Pyramid at Giza • Khufu’s Pyramid at Giza – Queen’s Chamber • The original burial place • Located underground, beneath the Great Pyramid
– King’s Chamber • Replaced the original chamber • Constructed within the pyramid itself • Considered one of the finest examples of megalithic architecture in existence
Old Kingdom Architecture: Additional Giza Structures • Chefren خفرع – Followed the Great Pyramid in construction • c. 2530 B.C. • Built for the pharaoh Chefren • Smaller than the Great Pyramid
Old Kingdom Architecture: Additional Giza Structures • Mycerinus منقرع – Built after Chefren’s Pyramid – c. 2500 B.C. – The last of the large Egyptian steep pyramids
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids • Pyramids as burial places continued to be built all through the 4th dynasty in Egypt. Many questions were posed on how they were built in spite of the available technologies at that time. Egypt lacked metals harder than copper and they used no wheel based transportation. – The construction of the pyramid was done during the flood season where agriculture was completely impossible. – Ramps as a means of transportation were erected by sides of the rising pyramids to move rocks uphill. – The rising of the pyramid core was used as a construction staircase that was used to pull and level the building blocks on to the upper levels. – All pyramids were considered as tombs and burial places for Egyptian Pharos. – All Egyptian art and architecture was designed to assist and support the concept of the after death and one's passage to the next world.
The Old Kingdom: The Era of Pyramids • The 4th dynasty finalizes the pyramid era and the beginning of the priest cult and the emergence of the sun god as an emblem and ruler of Egypt.
The First Intermediate Period
The First Intermediate Period • After the collapse of the Old Kingdom, Egypt entered a period of weak Pharaonic power and decentralization called the First Intermediate Period. • This period is a period of unrest and upheavals. The capital was relocated from Memphis to Thebes. • The Pharaoh's role was shifted from a divine ruler and representative to a secular one. • Tombs were also very important with a low finishing quality.
The Middle Kingdom
The Middle Kingdom. The Era of Life and Death. The Synthesis Between Temples and Tombs • Examples is the tomb Mentuhotep II at the Deir el Bahary. It is an example of architectural innovation. It combines both temple and tomb design, style and character in one single whole.
The Middle Kingdom. The Era of Life and Death. The Synthesis Between Temples and Tombs Deir el Bahari The complex is approached axially with two levels of columns surrounding a masonry mass, long thought to be a pyramid in the middle. • This central axis continues through the hypostyle hall then to the burial vault carved in the cliff. • This integration between life and death issues and ideas (burial chambers and the concept of procession and movement) is what distinguishes the 2nd kingdom of Egyptian architecture.
The Middle Kingdom. The Era of Life and Death. The Synthesis Between Temples and Tombs • This synthesis is relevant in: – Axially designed Temple – Hypostyle hall – Burial Chamber – Ramps and stepped designs echoing Hatshepsut's temple 400 years later.
Middle and New Kingdom: Characteristics • Egyptian tombs return to below the ground – Many tombs begin to appear in the cliffs of the Nile Valley.
• Builders decide to sacrifice the monumentality of tombs for security from grave robbers. – Shaft tombs • Long, underground corridors and chambers hollowed out of Nile Valley cliffs • Little architectural significance
Tomb of Rameses V/VI
The Middle Kingdom. The Era of Life and Death. The Synthesis Between Temples and Tombs • Another example is Beni Hassan tombs that were cut through rock cliffs that also have a porch and a hypostyle hall. • In these tombs are a replication of living space besides burial chambers. • Stone was carved to imitate a non-stone material (palms, reeds and Lotus plants). This was utilized as a symbol of the direct connection between life and death. • It is a combination between the architecture of death and the architecture of life.
Middle and New Kingdom: Beni Hasan • Beni Hasan – 125 miles upstream from Giza on the East bank of the Nile River – Hollowed out of the Nile Valley cliffs – Features: • Colonnaded portico for public worship • Combined chapel and effigy chamber
Middle and New Kingdom: Beni Hasan
Middle and New Kingdom: Mortuary Temples • Mortuary Temples – Followed the decline of the pyramids and the concealment of burial chambers – Developed into Egypt’s most important monumental form – Funerary complexes set before the Old Kingdom pyramids are some of the most striking mortuary temples
Middle and New Kingdom: Mortuary Temples • Mortuary Temples – Usually comprised of three interconnected parts: • A temple near the Nile where the king’s body was embalmed • A mortuary temple where rituals were performed • A long, narrow causeway between thick walls connecting the two temples
Middle and New Kingdom: Mortuary Temples • Temple Complex of Khafre – One of the most impressive preserved temple complex’s
Photo: Sullivan
Middle and New Kingdom: Middle Kingdom Mortuary Temples • The Sphinx – Represented the god ReHarakthe on guard over the king’s tomb – Contained an intricately constructed set of interiors