🏗️History of Architecture Unit 1 – Ancient Egyptian Architecture

Key Architectural Periods

• Early Dynastic Period (3100-2686 BCE) marked the beginning of monumental stone architecture in Egypt
• Old Kingdom (2686-2181 BCE) witnessed the construction of the Great Pyramids of Giza and the development of the mastaba tomb
• Middle Kingdom (2055-1650 BCE) saw a shift towards more elaborate tomb complexes and the introduction of the rock-cut tomb
• New Kingdom (1550-1069 BCE) was characterized by the construction of grand temples such as Karnak and Luxor
  • This period also saw the development of the hypostyle hall, a room filled with columns supporting a flat roof
• Late Period (1069-332 BCE) marked a return to traditional architectural forms and the construction of smaller, more intimate temples
• Ptolemaic Period (332-30 BCE) introduced Greek architectural elements such as the pylon gateway and the mamisi (birth house)

Major Monuments and Structures

• The Great Pyramid of Giza, built during the reign of Khufu (2589-2566 BCE), is the oldest and largest of the three pyramids in the Giza pyramid complex
  • It originally stood at 481 feet (146.5 meters) tall and was the tallest man-made structure in the world for over 3,800 years
• The Sphinx, a massive limestone statue with the head of a human and the body of a lion, guards the entrance to the Giza pyramid complex
• The Karnak Temple Complex, constructed over a period of 2,000 years, is the largest religious building ever built
  • It includes the Great Hypostyle Hall, which contains 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows
• The Luxor Temple, connected to Karnak by the Avenue of Sphinxes, was dedicated to the Theban Triad of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu
• The Abu Simbel temples, carved out of solid rock during the reign of Ramses II (1279-1213 BCE), were designed to impress Egypt's Nubian neighbors and assert Egyptian power
• The Valley of the Kings, a necropolis used for royal burials during the New Kingdom, contains 63 known tombs, including that of Tutankhamun

Building Materials and Techniques

• The most common building materials used in ancient Egyptian architecture were mud brick and stone (limestone and sandstone)
  • Mud bricks were used for the construction of houses, palaces, and city walls, while stone was reserved for tombs, temples, and other monumental structures
• The Egyptians developed sophisticated tools and techniques for cutting, transporting, and lifting heavy stone blocks
  • Copper chisels were used to cut limestone blocks, while bronze saws were used to cut granite
• The Egyptians used a tool called a plumb bob, a weight suspended on a string, to ensure that edges were straight and surfaces were flat
• Ramps were used to transport heavy stone blocks up the sides of pyramids and other structures during construction
  • These ramps were made of mud brick and were built progressively higher as the structure rose
• Levers and rollers were used to move and position heavy stone blocks during construction
• The Egyptians used a mortar made of gypsum and sand to bind stone blocks together and fill gaps between them

Symbolic and Religious Significance

• Ancient Egyptian architecture was deeply intertwined with religion and symbolism
• Temples were designed to be microcosms of the universe, with the sanctuary representing the primeval mound from which the god created the world
  • The layout of temples often followed a symbolic journey from the profane world outside to the sacred realm within
• Pylons, the massive gateway structures at the entrance to temples, represented the horizon and the place where the sun god Ra emerged each morning
• Obelisks, tall, narrow stone shafts erected in pairs, were associated with the sun god Ra and represented the rays of the sun
• The pyramids were designed as resurrection machines, ensuring the pharaoh's ascent to the afterlife and his transformation into a god
  • The pyramid shape was associated with the primeval mound and the rays of the sun
• The Egyptians believed that the gods resided in the statues placed inside temples, which were ritually animated through daily ceremonies and offerings
• The decoration of temples and tombs was highly symbolic, with scenes depicting the pharaoh's relationship with the gods and his role in maintaining cosmic order (maat)

Influence of Geography and Climate

• The Nile River was the lifeblood of ancient Egypt, providing water for irrigation and a means of transportation
  • The annual flooding of the Nile deposited rich silt on the floodplain, enabling agriculture and supporting a large population
• The desert climate of Egypt necessitated the use of thick mud brick walls to insulate buildings from the heat
  • Mud bricks were made from a mixture of Nile silt, sand, and straw, and were dried in the sun
• The scarcity of wood in Egypt led to the development of stone architecture and the use of stone for beams, lintels, and other structural elements
• The orientation of temples and tombs was often determined by astronomical alignments, such as the rising and setting of the sun and stars
  • For example, the Great Temple of Abu Simbel was oriented so that twice a year, the rising sun would illuminate the statues of the gods in the sanctuary
• The location of ancient Egyptian cities and monuments was influenced by the availability of building materials, such as limestone and sandstone quarries
• The harsh desert environment also influenced the development of mummification and the construction of elaborate tombs to protect the deceased in the afterlife

Notable Architects and Builders

• Imhotep, who lived during the 3rd Dynasty (2670-2613 BCE), is credited with designing the first pyramid, the Step Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara
  • He was also a priest, physician, and astronomer, and was later deified as the god of medicine and healing
• Hemiunu, the nephew of Khufu, is believed to have been the architect of the Great Pyramid of Giza
  • His tomb, located near the pyramid, contains inscriptions describing his role in the construction project
• Senenmut, the chief architect during the reign of Hatshepsut (1479-1458 BCE), designed the queen's mortuary temple at Deir el-Bahri
  • He was also responsible for the construction of several other temples and monuments during Hatshepsut's reign
• Amenhotep son of Hapu, who lived during the reign of Amenhotep III (1390-1352 BCE), was a prominent architect and scribe
  • He oversaw the construction of several temples, including the Luxor Temple and the mortuary temple of Amenhotep III (the Colossi of Memnon)
• Ineni, who served under several New Kingdom pharaohs, was responsible for the design and construction of the tomb of Thutmose I in the Valley of the Kings
  • He also contributed to the construction of the Karnak Temple Complex and other royal projects

Legacy and Global Impact

• Ancient Egyptian architecture has had a lasting impact on the world, influencing the development of architecture in other cultures and civilizations
• The pyramids, in particular, have captured the imagination of people throughout history and continue to be iconic symbols of Egypt and its ancient civilization
  • The Great Pyramid of Giza is the only one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World still standing today
• Egyptian architectural elements, such as obelisks and sphinxes, were adopted by other cultures, including the Greeks, Romans, and Persians
  • Many Egyptian obelisks were transported to Rome during the Roman period and can still be seen in various locations throughout the city
• The study of ancient Egyptian architecture played a significant role in the development of Egyptology as a scientific discipline in the 19th and early 20th centuries
  • The decipherment of Egyptian hieroglyphs by Jean-François Champollion in 1822 enabled scholars to read the inscriptions on temples and tombs, providing valuable insights into ancient Egyptian culture and history
• Egyptian revival architecture, which emerged in the 19th century, drew inspiration from ancient Egyptian forms and motifs
  • Examples of Egyptian revival architecture can be found in various cities around the world, such as the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C., and the Lighthouse of Alexandria in Alexandria, Egypt
• The enduring fascination with ancient Egyptian architecture has also influenced popular culture, inspiring countless books, films, and works of art
  • The discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb in 1922 by Howard Carter sparked a global sensation and renewed interest in ancient Egyptian culture and architecture

Fun Facts and Curiosities

• The ancient Egyptians used a tool called a boning rod, a straight wooden rod with a plumb bob attached, to ensure that surfaces were level during construction
  • The boning rod was used in conjunction with a tool called a square level, which consisted of a right-angled triangle with a plumb bob suspended from the apex
• The Egyptians used a tool called a cubit rod to measure lengths and distances
  • The royal cubit, which was the standard unit of measurement, was equal to the length of the pharaoh's forearm plus the width of his hand, approximately 52.3 cm (20.6 inches)
• The ancient Egyptians believed that the pharaoh was responsible for the annual flooding of the Nile, which was crucial for agriculture and the survival of the population
  • If the Nile failed to flood or flooded too much, it was seen as a sign that the pharaoh had lost favor with the gods
• The Egyptians used a tool called a plumb level, a wooden A-frame with a plumb bob suspended from the apex, to ensure that surfaces were vertical during construction
  • The plumb level was used in conjunction with the square level and the boning rod to ensure accuracy and precision in construction
• The ancient Egyptians used a tool called a merkhet, a sighting tool consisting of a wooden plank with a central slot, to align structures with astronomical bodies such as the North Star
  • The merkhet was used in conjunction with a tool called a bay, a wooden plank with a vertical slot, to establish a north-south axis for the orientation of temples and tombs
• The Egyptians used a tool called a setout tool, a wooden right-angled triangle with a plumb bob suspended from the apex, to mark out right angles during construction
  • The setout tool was used in conjunction with the cubit rod and ropes to create accurate layouts and foundations for buildings