AMNE371 - Old Kingdom (Images)

Mortuary Complex of Djoser at Saqqara

• a burial site built for Pharaoh Djoser during the Third Dynasty, featuring a step pyramid and various associated structures that reflect the advancements in architectural design

  • built near Memphis

• It served as a symbol of Djoser's power and beliefs in the afterlife, showcasing innovations in masonry and the development of monumental architecture in ancient Egypt.

• Massive food stores in chambers and underground galleries

Step Pyramid of Djoser

• Originally built as a mastaba (bench) tomb that was later expanded

• Built of limestone blocks

  • initially 4 step pyramid that expanded later

• Series of corridors and chambers including Djoser’s burial chamber

• Corridors were decorated with tiles and used for burials and storages of over 40,000 stone vessels

• East side of the complex has ‘dummy’ (non-functional) buildings

  • included Sed Festival Court

The Pyramids of Giza

• Pyramid building reached its peak in the 4th Dynasty

• Change of form to ‘true pyramid’ likely represents growing association of king with the sun god, Ra

  • pyramids were symbols of the sun- strengthening rays to create stairway or ramp for the dead king to ascend to the heavens

• The first pyramid (the Great Pyramid) was built by Khufu

  • aligned with the cardinal points

The Pyramid of Sneferu

• Attempts to build a true pyramid by 4th Dynasty King, Sneferu

• Originally designed as a 7-step pyramid and later extended to 8, then a true pyramid

• Was not completed

The Bent Pyramid of Sneferu at Dahshur

• First designed as a true pyramid

  • started with 55 degree angle, but due to the unstable interior structure, it was switched to 43 degrees

• Has burial chambers and blocking stones, but not the likely burial place of king

The Red (North) Pyramid of Sneferu at Dashur

• First successful true pyramid

• 43 degree slope gives it the ‘squat’ appearance

• Has burial chambers with corbelled vault roofs

• Likely burial place of Sneferu

Second Pyramid of Giza

• Built by Khafra

• Retains original limestone casing at the top and red granite covering the base

• Had red granite walls and columns inside with a white calcite floor

• Most elaborate temple up to this point

• 12 statues of Khafra stood in courtyard

The Great Sphinx

• One of the last components of Khafra’s building project

• Lion as the guardian with the king making offering to Ra

  • may be associated with emerging solar cult

Valley Temple at Giza

• Last pyramid at Giza built by Menkaura

• Extensive use of granite

Mentuhotep II’s Mortuary Complex at Deir el-Bahri

• Middle Kingdom monumental architecture

  • marks re-emergence of large scale royal burial

• Buried outside Thebes in Upper Egypt

• Heavily influenced Hatshepsut’s mortuary temple

Kahun (el-Lahun)

• Excavated by Petrie

  • partially destroyed by farming

• Pyramid Town built near the Faiyum for workers involved in the maintenance of Senusret II’s mortuary temple

  • planned settlement laid out by state bureaucracy

  • not a typical village as it was not fortified

• Reflects bureaucratic conception of Egyptian society based on two distinct social classes

• Important as many artefacts left in situ in the village

  • tools, baskets, farmer’s toolkits

• Houses contained granaries to provide rations to workers

  • Kemp estimated grain could support 5000-9000 people

• Houses modified to the family’s circumstances