Lecture 5: Early Dynastic & Old Kingdom Egypt

What is a mastaba?

An early Egyptian tomb with sloped sides and an underground burial chamber.

What is the ka?

The spiritual essence of a person, believed to survive after death. Kept in a statue of that person

What is a serdab (ka-chapel)?

A hidden chamber in mastabas containing a Ka statue.

What is this?

Step Pyramid of Djoser

• Present day Saqqara Egypt

• 2630 BCE

• the first pyramid

• representation of the pharoah’s growing power

• started as a mastaba but grew in size

• mastabas were no longer sufficient 

• temples mimicked buildings made of natural materials, made of stone to last eternity

What are the Pyramids at Giza?

Pyramids of Giza

• Giza, present day Egypt

• 2580-2525 BCE

• Khufu, Khafre, Menkaura 

• one element of complicated whole

• series of rituals take place before one is buried in pyramid

• mortuary temples located just outside 

What is lower Egypt and Upper Egypt?

lower Egypt (north) is the where the Nile river feeds into the Mediterranean, upper Egypt (south) is the source of the river