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Pyramids. First built during Old Kingdom ~80 pyramids still standing today. Housed the bodies of dead pharaohs. A pharaoh’s eternal tomb Housed their prized possessions for them to enjoy in the afterlife. Mastabas.
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Pyramids • First built during Old Kingdom • ~80 pyramids still standing today. • Housed the bodies of dead pharaohs. • A pharaoh’s eternal tomb • Housed their prized possessions for them to enjoy in the afterlife.
Mastabas • First, pyramids were a series of mastabas (oblong tombs) stacked on top of one another. • Step Pyramid of Djoser began as a single mastaba, on which 5 additional mastabas were placed. • Burial chamber of pharaoh remained underground. • Made of mud bricks.
Step Pyramid • Invented by Imhotep. • Built for the Pharaoh Djoser - ruled during the Third Dynasty (~2686-2613 BCE) • What’s a dynasty? • A series of rulers belonging to the same family. • First pyramids to be made of stone.
Facts • 62 m high • Base: 125 m • Built of limestone • Mortuary temple on North side.
Meydum • Begun by Huni, finished by Sneferu. • Near Fayium Oasis near village of Meydum. • Initially an 8 step pyramid • Later steps were encased in a smooth shell to create a true pyramid.
Meydum • Originally 93.5 m high. Now 65 m. • 147 m long
Meydum’s Mystery • Why does it look like a step pyramid today? • Collapsed during New Kingdom. • Several theories: • collapsed during construction • Sneferu abandoned it and was later used a quarry for other monuments.
Bent Pyramid • Planned as a true pyramid from the outset. • Built by Sneferu • The 54° angle too steep -> adjusted to 43° to make more structurally sound. • Has a “bent” look at the top, hence the name.
Bent Pyramid • Height: 104 m • Base: 189 m • Located in Dahshur
Facts • Built between 2600 and 2500 BCE • Built for the kings of the Fourth Dynasty: • Khufu (aka Cheops) • Khafre • Menkaure • Most famous is the Great Pyramid - King Khufu’s tomb (Sneferu’s son). • Only ancient wonder of the world still standing.
More facts • Height - 146m (taller than the Statue of Liberty). • Each side - 238m long (about 10 football fields) • Constructed of 2.5 million stone blocks. Each block weighed ~2.5 tons - the weight of about 25 refrigerators.
Valley of the KingsValley of the Queens • New Kingdom • Realization that pyramid announced riches robbers • Security • 2 quiet valleys near Luxor • Elaborate tombs cut into valley walls
Temples • Monuments to the gods • Gateway • Roofless court • Great hall • Columns • Private sanctuary of the god • Other areas • Living quarters • Workshops • School • Pool • Granaries • Storehouses
Karnak Temple • Largest temple still standing today. • Located in Thebes. • Built and enlarged over 1300 year period.
Mortuary Temples • Built to commemorate the reign of the pharaoh for whom the pyramid was built. • Place to worship deceased king.
Sphinx • Head of King Khafre - 22 x size • Body of lion. • 72 m high, 19.8 m wide - Egypt’s largest statue. • Carved from naturally occuring rocky outcrop. • Temple guardians.