ANCIENT EGYPT:THE ARCHITECTURE OF PERMANENCE

ANCIENT EGYPT

LECTURE OUTLINE
Background Historical Development of politics and b ilt f Hi t i l D l t f liti d built form Ancient Egyptian Life of lifestyle and built form Ancient Egyptian Architecture the characteristics Domestic & Funerary Architecture main building typologies Egyptian Sacred Ratio measurement system
ANCIENT EGYPT

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT MAIN PERIODS

OLD KINGDOM (c. 3200-2100 B.C.)
Centralized liti l d C t li d political and economic organization. Ki i i ti Kings (Ph (Pharaohs) of di i h ) f divine origin; powerful system of central and local officials. Pharaoh has the supreme power. 2100 1800 MIDDLE KINGDOM (c. 2100-1800 B.C.) Feudal age of powerful landed nobility, with some centralized power in the hands of the Pharaohs. ( ) NEW KINGDOM (1570-1085 B.C.): Foundation of military empire extending east coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Corresponding expansion of foreign trade. Enormous wealth and luxury.

PTOLEMAIC PERIOD (c. 300 - 30 B.C.) O C O

Egypt became the province of the Roman Empire

ANCIENT EGYPT

TIMELINE OF EVENTS
3100 BC [O] - The Egyptian civilization began when King Menes founded the first Egyptian dynasty. Beginning of the Old Kingdom 3000 BC [O] - The First and second dynasties ruled Egypt and began using hieroglyphics. 2950 BC [O] - The first Egyptian pyramid is built - the Step Pyramid at Saqqara for King Zoser (aka Djoser) who was one of the kings of the 3rd Dynasty 2575 BC [O] - The Great Pyramids of Egypt were built at Dahshur and Giza and regarded as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. 2125 BC [M] The 9th-11th Egyptian Dynasties. During this time Egypt saw a breakdown of central government Entering into Feudalism government. Feudalism.

ANCIENT EGYPT

1400 BC [M] : King Thutmose III and Ancient Egypt reached the height of its military power when and brought the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea under Egyptian rule. Trade becomes part of the economic generator. 1539BC [N] : the building of the tombs of the Valley of Kings. The great Pharoahs. 332 BC [P] Alexander the Great conquers Egypt and becomes king. Greek culture was spread throughout Egypt during this dynasty. The city of Alexandria was founded and became famous for the Great Library and the great Lighthouse of Alexandria which was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World World. 30 BC Egypt becomes a province of the Roman Empire 384 AD An order to the adherence to Christianity y 395 AD The Roman empire split into West and East and Egypt became part of the Byzantine Empire 642 AD The Arabs captured Alexandria and Egypt became an important part of the Islamic Empire

ANCIENT EGYPT

LOCATION

ANCIENT EGYPT

NILE RIVER
The Egyptian civilization evolved around the Nile River, th l Nil Ri the longest river i th world, fl i t i in the ld flowing into the Mediterranean Sea. This River is the impetus of life in Egypt because i it h t and d climate, th Ri b in its hot d dry li t the River Nil Nile serves as an oasis attracting life forms of plants, animals and humans. Because of the f til river, people could grow B f th fertile i l ld crops which set the economic pattern of Egypt to be agricultural. Natural N t l protection f t ti from outside i fl t id influence by b desert and marshy delta. - Bounded on the south, east and west by a impenetrable desert - O the north by the sea, On th th b th -the Egyptians obtained a sense of security from their environment.

Location of Ancient Sites along the Nile

ANCIENT EGYPT

NILE RIVER

The annual flooding/inundation of the Nile d deposited nutrient rich silt on th l d it d t i t i h ilt the land, creating all the ingredients needed to support life and the growth of a great civilization. The terrain provided the raw materials for building construction sand, bricks and p g , stones.

ANCIENT EGYPT

NILE RIVER-INTRODUCTION; THE EARLY CIVILATION

Since rainfall is almost non-existent in Egypt, the floods provided the only source of moisture needed to sustain crops and gave fertility to the soil. Intensive agriculture was practiced by the majority of the peasant population. As the flood waters receded, sowing and plugging began, using primitive wooden ploughs. Irrigation canals were used to control the water, particularly during dry spells. How was the economic situation then? Agriculture, mining and later trade

ANCIENT EGYPT

NILE RIVER-ANCIENT HIGHWAY

The Nile River was the highway that joined the country together. Since th Si there are no f forests in E t i Egypt, they had t import t th h d to i t wood was from Lebanon. Wood was used to build boats that transported stone granite for the construction of pyramids.

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LIFE- SOCIAL CLASS

A hi hierarchy civilization: h i ili ti Social class reflects the lifestyle and the architecture of their homes. The Pharaoh is at the top of the social pyramid. He was not simply a king and a id H t i l ki d ruler, but was considered a God on earth Vizier is the advisor. Both lives in the palace. palace High priests and nobles at the top of society. High priests and noblemen appointed by the pharaoh as his assistants, generals, assistants generals and administrators administrators. Together they formed the government. They would live in the palace at times and in the temples. , , g Priests, doctors, and engineers more scholarly scribes, who had advanced to higher positions. Priests - devoted to their religious duties in the temples at least three months out of every year, during which th t f d i hi h time they never left the temple. At other times they worked ANCIENT EGYPT as judges and teachers

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LIFE

SOCIAL CLASS The Scribes Above the workers were skilled craftsmen, such as artists and scribes (intellectual writers) worked in shops attached t the it ) k di h tt h d to th temple. The scribes were the only Egyptians who knew how to read and write, and therefore had many types of job opportunity. Duties ranged from writing letters for townspeople, to recording harvests, to keeping accounts for the Egyptian army.

At the bottom of the "Social Pyramid" were soldiers, farmers, and tomb builders, greatest percent of . who represented themade of mud bricks the Egyptian population. They would live in simple small homes and wood. As houses were made of materials easily destroyed by floods and time, no existing structure could be found.

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LIFE

SOCIAL CLASS A DAY AS A NOBLEMAN OR A FARMER
accommodate furniture

NOBLEMAN large home to

FARMER

ebony box

wooden lamp and stand

basket - bed covered in coarse linen sheets that had been woven by his wife. -Basket for storage belongings -kilt made of coarse linen and sandals made of reeds

- bed covered in fine linen sheets. -cosmetic box, and a lamp for lighting the room in the evening. - kilt made of fine linen and sandals made of leather.

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LIFE

SOCIAL CLASS A DAY AS A NOBLEMAN OR A FARMER

NOBLEMAN-large homes for animal sheds and workers

FARMER

Counting geese

Man and ox ploughing, mud brick making

The nobleman have farm workers to do his farming works. He merely oversees and Administers.

The farmer would have to do his own farming works. The whole family will assist him.

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LIFE

SOCIAL CLASS A DAY AS A NOBLEMAN OR A FARMER

NOBLEMAN large homes with servants

FARMER

Egyptian wig, mirror and Egyptian woman with mirror

Wife making bread

The noblemans wife beautifies himself while his servants took care of her children, the house, food and drink.

The farmers wife has to work from morning until evening.

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LIFE

SOCIAL CLASS A DAY AS A NOBLEMAN OR A FARMER

NOBLEMAN large home to entertain

FARMER

Banquet scene In the evenings they would entertain guests with the finest meats, breads, cakes wine, figs and dates. d t They were entertained by musicians and dancing girls.

Pottery lamp No night activities. They would end their day early .

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN CIVILISATIONCONSTANTS OF EGYPTIAN LIFE CONCLUSION

Steady flow of the Nile from South to North agriculture as main economic g g generator, then mining and trading. The social class reflects the works of the people and also the design of the domestic built form. g Birth and Death a celebrative event. Death is regarded as eternal life Built form are life. constructed to celebrate the dead, especially the rulers. Power of the Ruler / Pharaoh/ King / Priest over the masses

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE the characteristics CONTRIBUTION TO ARCHITECTURE

Egyptians contribution to structure is the post and beam. The columns are stylish with fluted or flower like capitals at the top probably derived from primitive buildings constructed of unmodified g materials e.g. straws

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE

CONTRIBUTION TO ARCHITECTURE Egyptians most important contribution to architecture was the COLONADE - the column and the lintel (are lines) arranged in repeated rows (repetition) usually within temples.

The columns were decorated with CAPITALS derived from nature in the form of lotus buds, palms, or p papyrus flowers symbols of the abundance and fertility of the Nile.

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE

CONTRIBUTION TO ARCHITECTURE

Contribution to Architecture respect towards nature and encased it in built form

The Colonnade, Column & Lintel

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE Contribution to Architecture - The Colonnade, Column & Lintel
Bell capitals

Buds capitals

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE

Contribution to Architecture-The Colonnade, Column & Lintel

capital
ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE

MAIN BUILDING TYPOLOGIES (TYPES) Domestic Architecture/ Residential Structures Village houses Town houses Funerary Architecture/ Religious / Ceremonial structures Mastaba tomb Pyramids

ANCIENT EGYPT

RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECTURE / DOMESTIC STRUCTURES

ANCIENT EGYPT

DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
SHELTER FOR THE PEOPLE VILLAGE HOUSES GENERAL HOUSE CHARACTERISTICS: Most houses were made of mud bricks. bricks Brick makers collected mud, added straw and water to it as needed, and stomped it with their feet until it reached the right consistency. The mixture was then placed in a mould and shaped left on the ground to dry in the sun. Egyptian peasants would have lived in simple mud-brick homes containing only a few pieces of furniture: beds, stools, boxes and low tables. The nobles would have larger homes with more furnitures.

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LIFE - INFLUENCE TO BUILT FORM

SOCIAL CLASS THE HOMES OF NOBLEMAN OR A FARMER

NOBLEMAN

FARMER

Model of a noblemans house

Model of a farmers house ANCIENT EGYPT

DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
DEIR EL-MEDINA VILLAGE: SHELTER FOR THE PEOPLE VILLAGE HOUSES New Kingdom village would be opened to gather workers and administrators for the purpose of building the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. They were a community of craftsmen, painters, masons, scribes, and sculptors, sculptors together with their families families.

The village was about 50 meters wide by 130 meters long and completely enclosed by a wall. It is organised in a grid like pattern. Its main street was two to three meters wide (indicates there is a means of transportation). The houses, most of them roughly the same size, were chiefly built of stone, size stone mud and bricks. ANCIENT EGYPT

Plan of settlement

DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
SHELTER FOR THE PEOPLE VILLAGE HOUSES

Aerial view of excavated site

VILLAGE HOUSES: CHARACTERISTICS The average house size was about 4m by 20m, the smallest houses measured 4m by 13m, while the largest were up to 6 meters wide and 27 meters long. The height of the roofs was between 3 and 5 meters.

ANCIENT EGYPT

DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
SHELTER FOR THE PEOPLE VILLAGE HOUSES

The walls and roof would have been covered with plaster and p p painted. Inside, there was a reception room, a living room, bedrooms and a cellar in which food and beverages were stored. Food was prepared in an outdoor kitchen equipped with a mud brick oven. mud-brick oven Stairs on the exterior of the house led to a roof-top terrace.

ANCIENT EGYPT

DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
SHELTER FOR THE PEOPLE VILLAGE HOUSES The houses are rectangular with several square rooms of different ceiling height. The hall with the shrine is considered as the main room as it has the tallest ceiling. The flat roof is a also a base plane as stairs are built to go up the roof roof. Cellar for storage Cross-section and plan of a typical house in the workers village at Deir el-Medina workers el-Medina.
ANCIENT EGYPT

DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
SHELTER FOR THE PEOPLE VILLAGE HOUSES

Cross-section of a typical house in the workers village at Deir el-Medina. The workers who built the tombs in the Valley of the Kings lived in this village..
ANCIENT EGYPT

DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
SHELTER FOR THE PEOPLE TOWN HOUSES

TOWN HOUSES: characteristics

Town houses were typically two to three stories high multi-level. They were typically more spacious and more comfortable than the workers houses spacious and comfortable. They made high walls that supported multiple-story buildings by reinforcing them with wooden beams. In multi-story homes, stones were often used in the first floor for greater strength multi story at the base stronger base material. The ground level of the house was usually the working area where business was conducted, and servants would remain ground floor with service spaces. The first and second floors are more adorned and were the living areas of the house above ground living spaces.
ANCIENT EGYPT

DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE
TOWN HOUSE - example

The House of Djehutinefer

Djehutinefer was a royal scribe and treasurer under Amenhotep II. His house was narrow and tall with a wide entrance. The walls were painted blue. seems t have been th to h b three storey high t hi h Egyptians sometimes drew horizontal as vertical space (things spatially side by side were depicted as being one above the other, cf. the two servants occupied with bread-making - bottom right). The house has a floor size of about ninety to a hundred square meters per storey, not including the staircases and any further rooms not depicted.

ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERARY ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS

ANCIENT EGYPT

EGYPTIAN WORLD OF THE DEAD

it was of key importance that when someone died their physical body should continue to exist on earth to enable then to proceed through the afterlife. The afterlife they wanted to attain was thought of as bigger and better than the earthly life so providing proper eternal accommodation for their body after they had died was very important to them As burial practices for the wealthy became more sophisticated they sophisticated, demanded specially built tombs rather than underground burial. As they were no longer in direct contact with the sand, their bodies rapidly decomposed. This meant that an artificial means of preserving the body was required, and so began a long process of experimental mummification.

ANCIENT EGYPT

EGYPTIAN WORLD OF THE DEAD

Mummification

By the time of the New Kingdom, the ancient Egyptians had perfected the art of mummification. The b t technique t k 70 d Th best t h i took days and i d involved removing th i t l d i the internal l organs, removing the brain through the nose and sprinkling the body in mineral salts called natron. The body was then wrapped and places in a decorated coffin. Actual presernation declined during the Ptolemaic and Roman eras Actual

ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERAL ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS PREHISTORIC PIT GRAVES

Egyptian tombs originally began as a simple pit in the sandy desert that was lined with a reed mat. Bodies were not mummified as it decayed naturally. Artifacts and goods were buried together. Pharaohs and commoners were buried in the same fashion. Eventually the elite started to protect the bodies of their dead with wooden and clay coffins as they want to maintain the physical body on earth. They began marking the grave with an above ground superstructure made of a pile of stones or a low mound of mud bricks to become rectangular tombs.

ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERARY ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS MASTABA TOMB
Due to vandalism and stolen artifacts that were buried with the wealthy kings, the pit beame larger consisting of rectangular holes lined with mud bricks or timber. A mound was created over the burial site, site which was supported by timber poles and covered with bricks These covered mounds were bricks. known as Mastabas. The Mastaba tomb was both for royal and private burials in the Early Dynasty (3100-2686 BC) but was only for private burial in the Old Kingdom (2686-2181 BC). The Mastaba comprise of a substructure, usually the burial chamber [1] enclosed by a superstructure of mud-bricks or stones [2]. The superstructure comprise of the chapel [3], place for statue of the burial owner [4] and the burial shaft [5]

[2]. [2] [4] [3] [1] [5]

Cross-section of a typical Mastaba tomb

ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERARY ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS MASTABA TOMB, SAQQARA

Examples of Mastaba are found in Saqqara and Giza. Over the years, the interior of Mastabas became increasingly elaborate with the intention of confusing tomb robbers, and to allow more room to hold a pharaoh's possessions for the afterlife. The tunnel that accessed the sunken burial chamber was filled with sand, rubble, and stone barriers. barriers The typical Mastaba was generally rectangular in plan with a flat roof and inward-sloping walls, built of brick and faced with limestone slabs. The Pyramid was b ilt t replace th M t b as th b i l t b f royalty b t th M t b was Th P id built to l the Mastabas the burial tomb for lt but the Mastaba still being used for the rest of the elite society. ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERARY ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS DJOSERS STEP PYRAMID

Djoser was the first ruler of the 3rd Dynasty and the stepped pyramid in Saqqara as the first pyramid complex built. The pyramid has a stepped appearance. It is an extension of the mound found in Mastaba tombs and is usually interpreted as a symbolic mound of creation, but can also be read as a stairway to heaven. Djoser s architect, Imhotep, Djoser's architect Imhotep built in stages The tomb started as a square, stages. square solid Mastaba, but a series of extensions saw it develop into a six-stepped pyramid with a rectangular ground-plan. Below ground, a warren of tunnels, galleries and rooms surrounded Djoser's burial chamber Around the pyramid his mortuary complex included courts chamber. pyramid, and buildings, each with its own particular function. ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERAL ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS DJOSERS STEP PYRAMID

Reconstructed view and view of partial perimeter wall.

The stepped pyramid is enclosed as a whole complex with solid high walls.

ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERAL ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS DJOSERS STEP PYRAMID

The axial principle and linear organization are used to direct the processional ceremony to the pyramid. pyramid
ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERAL ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS BENT PYRAMID, DAHSHUR

Sneferu, Sneferu the first 4th Dynasty pharaoh built two pyramids at Dahshur. Dahshur The design intention: from the start as a true pyramid rather than a stepped pyramid. The design problem: the 54 degrees angle proved too steep, and as the pyramid was being g g g y g built on soft, silty clay, there was a problem with stability and subsidence. The solution: adjusting the pyramid angle to a flatter 43 degrees, 147ft (45m) up the face. The reduced angle brought increased stability, but led to the pyramid's modern name, the Bent Pyramid. Pyramid ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERAL ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS - The Smooth Surface Pyramid

After the creation of the first step-pyramids, the design was modified to have smooth, limestone faces taken from the quarries of Aswan farther down the Nile River. It was intended to bring the buried pharaoh closer to the sun god Re (purpose) The design inspiration for sloping the sides of the pyramids came from an image formed by the sun's rays breaking through the clouds. The perception of the appearance was that of a shimmering white mountain.
ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERAL ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZA

The Great Pyramids of Giza: Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops), Pyramid of Khafre (Chefren) and Pyramid of Menkaure (Mycerinus) The design: Cheops, built his pyramid on the Giza plateau, using on-site firm bedrock and alimestone quarry. His pyramid is a work of astonishing size and precision, standing 481ft (146.6m) high, ith (146 6 ) hi h with a slope of 51 d l f degrees 50' It sides vary b l 50'. Its id by less th 1 9ft (58 ) and are than 1.9ft (58cm) d orientated almost exactly true north. Its base is almost completely level.

ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERARY ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZA

A solid mass of limestone blocks covering 13 acres (5.3 hectares), it was originally 756 ft (230 m) along each side of its base and 482 ft (147 m) high. It has several passages, two large chambers in addition to one beneath the ground level, and two small air chambers for ventilation.

ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERARY ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZA 1] The Pyramid of Khufu is the largest of the three principal py p p pyramids on the Giza Plateau. It is 450 feet/137.2 meters in height.
Queens pyramid

2] The Pyramid of Khafre is 448 feet/136.5 ] y meters in height.

3] The Pyramid of Menkaure [Mycerinus;

4] The Great Sphinx

The pyramids are arranged grid like with linear axis from the entrance leading to the pyramids.
ANCIENT EGYPT

Complex of Pyramids, Mastabas and Queen Pyramids

FUNERARY PROCESSION OF THE PYRAMIDS

Pyramids were part of a funerary complex. Apart from the processional causeway th t li k a i l that links funerary temple to the pyramid,

QUEEN PYRAMIDS can be

found. Much smaller than the Kings pyramid, this was to burial of his wife.

MASTABAS and other smaller

pyramids where family of the king and nobles were buried. ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERAL ARCHITECTURE
FUNERAL PROCESSION OF THE PYRAMIDS

1.

VALLEY TEMPLE.
When the king died his body was first rowed across the Nile to the Valley Temple to be died, mummified.

2.

CAUSEWAY an axial entry

This was a covered processional way which starts from the Valley Temple. The walls on the inside were decorated and there were holes in the roof to provide natural light light.

3.

MORTUARY TEMPLE / FUNERARY TEMPLE.

At the end of the Causeway, there was the Funerary Temple. This was built against the side of the pyramid. The FuneraryTemple was the place where priests made offerings to the king's spirit every day for eternity eternity. ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERARY ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZA

Reconstruction drawing of Giza complex

ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERARY ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS THE GREAT PYRAMIDS OF GIZA

Cross section of the pyramid of Giza

Cross section of Cheops Pyramid

ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERAL ARCHITECTURE
DEVELOPMENT OF THE PYRAMIDS KHAEFRES PYRAMID AND SPHINX

The Great Sphinx (living image) crouches beside Khaefre's Valley Temple. This beast consists of the king's head, 22 times life-sized, perched on a massive lion's body. It is 236ft (72m) long and 65ft (19 8m) tall making it Egypt's largest statue As it is carved from a naturally occurring (19.8m) tall, statue. rocky outcrop, covered in places with a stone block veneer due to erosion. The Sphinx shows differential weathering due to the three limestone strata included in its body. It measures 73m long and a maximum of 20m height. ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERAL ARCHITECTURE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PYRAMIDS

A pyramid's large square base creates a very stable structure. A number of astronomical observations were used t precisely align it corners with th f b f t i l b ti d to i l li its ith the four cardinal points of NSEW. Since pyramids are solid mass, no columns or beams were required to support the structure.

ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERAL ARCHITECTURE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PYRAMIDS Theory 1
1. 2. 3. The smooth sided pyramids were built by using chisel on the block of granite. The stonemasons used special rods to check that a stone block was cut accurately. Next, the blocks stayed in the quarry until the flood season. This is because the flood water makes it easier to haul the barges over the heavy granite blocks. Once the blocks had arrived near the pyramid site and unloaded the blocks, they were hauled up a ramp ramp.

ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERAL ARCHITECTURE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PYRAMIDS Theory 1
This theory suggest that ramps were used to haul the stone blocks on wooden sleds up the side of the pyramids p g The ramps were lubricated with water to reduce fricttion. As few as 10 men were needed to drag a stone block up a ramp. The ramp may have been coiled around the pyramid as it grew in height.

ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERAL ARCHITECTURE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PYRAMIDS Theory 1

4. 5.

Once a stone block reached its desired level, wooden rods may have been used to maneuver it into position. Once all of the granite blocks were placed in place, laborers rubbed the casing blocks with polishing stones until they would shine in the sun sun.

ANCIENT EGYPT

FUNERAL ARCHITECTURE
CONSTRUCTION OF THE PYRAMIDS MAN POWER

The Greek historian Herodotus was told that it took 100,000 men 20 years to build the Great Pyramid at Giza. Scholars today, however, think it may have been built by only 20,000 men over 20 years. The pyramids were probably not built by slaves because slave labour was not widely used in Egypt at the time. Peasant farmers, were required to spend a number of weeks working on construction projects. This provided the paid labour needed to build these gigantic structures. Since the fields are flooded during the summer, the farmers were able to earn income during the time of floods. ANCIENT EGYPT

EGYPTIANS SACRED RATIO

The Egyptians ratio is based on the size of their palms. This form of measurement is equivalent with our anthropometric scale. Th entire figure on the left, from feet The ti fi th l ft f f t to hairline is eighteen palms high; the face is two palms high. The shoulders are aligned at sixteen palms from the base of the figure, th elbows align at t l f the lb li t twelve from th the base, and the knees at six. Used in the measurement of space and furniture furniture. ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

Egyptian architecture is characterized by preference for: 1. 2. 2 3. 4. 5. 5 6. 7. 8. 8 9. simple cubic masses, sense of weight solidity permanence weight, solidity, permanence. Massive tremendous scale, thick walls and supports. Repetition of similar geometric forms: rectangular and polygonal columns with capitals and shafts in simplified plant shapes shapes. Decorative paintings, carved and stone images, hieroglyphs. Axial organization. Roof were mainly flat, suited to the climate flat climate. Primary concerns were polytheistic religion and life after death. ANCIENT EGYPT

DECORATIONS
Apart from the pyramids, Egyptian buildings were decorated with paintings, carved stone images, hieroglyphs and three-dimensional statues. The art tells the story of the p y pharaohs, the g , gods, the common p p and the natural world of , people plants, birds and animals.

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE

BUILDING MATERIALS

Scant tree growth scarce wood. Main building materials: 1. MUD BRICKS (fine clay was deposited by the floodwaters of the Nile), Both sun-dried and kiln-dried bricks were used extensively Bricks were used for dwellings, fortress, walls of temple precincts, town and subsidiary buildings in temple complexes.

since the materials are not permanent in nature most of the nature, mud bricks buildings have today disappeared.

ANCIENT EGYPT

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE

BUILDING MATERIALS Stones (sandstone, limestone, and granite) The ancient Egyptians built their pyramids, tombs, temples and palaces out of stone the most durable of stone, all building materials suitable for their belif. The belief in existence beyond death resulted in architecture of utmost impressiveness and permanence. Hence only temples and tombs have survived till today.

ANCIENT EGYPT

EGYPT Architecture influential in Modern Architecture

St. Pauls Cathedral

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END

ANCIENT EGYPT