Egyptian Architecture PDF

History of Architecture 1 Ar Mike Francis Arias Course Timeline Pre-Historic Architecture West Asiatic Architecture Greek Architecture Classical...

History of Architecture 1 Ar Mike Francis Arias Course Timeline Pre-Historic Architecture West Asiatic Architecture Greek Architecture Classical Architecture 850 BC to 476 AD Egyptian Architecture Roman Architecture 3,050 BC to 476 AD Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences A. Geographical Egypt consists of a sandy desert with a strip of fertile country on the banks of the Nile River, the consequence was that Egypt had outlets for its own productions and inlets for those of foreign nations. Egypt’s greatest wealth was its Fertile Soil. Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences B. Geological In Egypt there existed an abundance of limestone in the North, of Sandstone in the Central Region, and of Granite in the South. Stone – abundant building material except for temples and pyramids Softstone – Limestone, Sandstone, Alabaster Hardstone – Granite, Quartzite, Basalt, Prophyry Sun Dried Bricks – made up of clay and chopped stone for pyramids and temples Date palm – for roofing material Acacia – for their boat Sycamore – Mummy cases Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences C. Climate Structures have no downspouts, drainage, gutters, no windows to cut heat penetration and sandstorm. Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences D. Religion A close connection between religion and architecture is everywhere manifested. The Priesthood was powerful, possessed of almost unlimited authority and equipped with all the learning of the age. Pyramids were built because they believed in “life after death” and for the preservation of the dead body. Pharoah is not only king but also “god” both political and religious ruler, when he dies he becomes Osiris – God of Dead. They’re MONOTHEISTIC in theory, and POLYTHEISTIC in practice. Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences D. Religion Different Egyptian Gods Amun-Ra – Chief God Rah – Symbol of the Sun, hope for eternal life, Atum – World creator Osiris – God of the Dead Isis – Wife of Osiris Horus – Sky God, son of Osiris, reincarnation of “Ra” himself Set – dread god of evil Thot – Ibis headed god of wisdom Anubis – jackal headed god of death Ptah – God of craftsmen Serapis – Bull God Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical 30 dynasties started from 3rd Millenium BC to Roman Period. 1. Ancient Kingdom (1st – 10th Dynasty) Development of two Types of Tombs Mastaba Pyramid Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical 1. Ancient Kingdom (1st – 10th Dynasty) Development of two Types of Tombs Mastaba The first tomb of the noble Egyptians were subterranean funerary chambers, on top of which a chapel consisting of just one floor constructed for offerings and religious rituals. Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical 1. Ancient Kingdom (1st – 10th Dynasty) Development of two Types of Tombs Pyramid Pyramids arose from the superposition of different floors in the mastabas. Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical Important Personalities 2. Middle Kingdom (11th – 17th Mentuhotep II – Developed the 3rd type Dynasty) of tomb: Rock-Cut Tomb the middle kingdom began when Pharoah Nebhepetre Mentuhotep II united Egypt again after the first intermediate period. During this period, the practice of pyramid construction disappeared Two categories of structures came into use: Mortuary Temples Rock-Cut Tomb of Beni Hasan Underground Tombs Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical 2. Middle Kingdom (11th – 17th Dynasty) Important Personalities Senusrets III – erected the earliest known “Obelisk” at Heliopolis Obelisks are monumental pillars usually in pairs at the entrances of the temples Heliopolis boasts several obelisk but at least seven obelisk were taken from Egypt Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical 2. Middle Kingdom (11th – 17th Dynasty) Important Personalities Amenemhat I – founded Great Temple of Ammon, Kharnak, the grandest of all temples. Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical 3. New Empire (18th – 30th Dynasty) The middle kingdom lasted for 275 years The new empire started after the end of second intermediate period. The new empire lasted for 500 years During the new empire, the capital of ancient Egypt moved from Memphis to Thebes The most important and common architectural elements were Temples Several temples were built dedicated to Egyptian Gods. Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical 3. New Empire (18th – 30th Dynasty) Important Personalities Thutmose I – began the additions to the temple of Ammon, Kharnak Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical 3. New Empire (18th – 30th Dynasty) Important Personalities Hatshepsut – Queen of Egypt, famous for her funerary temple at Mt. Der-El- Bahari Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical 3. New Empire (18th – 30th Dynasty) Important Personalities Thutmose IV – the one responsible for the cleaning away of sand from the Sphinx Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical 3. New Empire (18th – 30th Dynasty) Important Personalities Amenophis III – erected the Colossi of Memnon at Luxor, one of the wonders of the world Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical 3. New Empire (18th – 30th Dynasty) Important Personalities Rameses I – began the construction of the Great Hypostyle hall at Kharnak Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical 3. New Empire (18th – 30th Dynasty) Important Personalities Rameses II – finished the construction of the Hypostyle Hall and erection of the Rock Temple at Abu-Simbel. Rock Cut Temple of Abu-Simbel Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences E. Historical 4. The Ptolemaic Period (305 BC- 30 BC) The Ptolemaic Kingdom was a Helenistic Kingdom It was ruled by the Ptolemaic Dynasty, which was founded in 305 BC by Ptolemy I Soter Alexandria, a Greek polis founded by Alexander the Great, became the capital city. The Lighthouse of Alexandria Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences G. Architectural Character Solidarity or Simplicity Monumentality Massiveness Systems of Construction Post and Lintel Columnar and Trabeated Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Influences G. Architectural Character Features of Egyptian Architecture 2. Hieroglyphics 1. Batterwall Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs A. Mastaba Rich and noble people built mastaba for their burial in the city of the dead Above ground, the mastaba is a large bench of sun-baked bricks rising 9 meters high Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs A. Mastaba Important Parts of Mastaba 1. Outer Chamber – where offerings were placed 2. Serdab – inner chamber containing the statues of the deceased member of the family. 3. Sarcophagus – chamber containing the coffin reached by an underground shaft Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs B. Pyramids Pyramids evolved from Mastaba, with four sides facing the cardinal points, they were made by appx. 100,000 men for appx. 100 years Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs B. Pyramids Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs B. Pyramids Stepped Pyramid King Djoser was the powerful pharaoh of the third dynasty The stepped pyramid was built for King Djoser by Imhotep King Djoser, dissatisfied with the result, led to the stacking of mastaba one on top another. The result was the Stepped pyramid with five sloping setbacks. Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs B. Pyramids City of the Dead The valley of Giza is an immense necropolis on the west bank of the Nile river: it harbors three most outstanding pyramids: 1. Cheops / Khufu 2. Kefren / Khafre 3. Menkaure / Mykerinos Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs B. Pyramids The Bent Pyramid Also called “False Pyramid” Sneferu turned to Dahshur for his next project, the Bent Pyramid had a change of angle midway from 55 degrees to 43 degrees. Has a height of 105 meters. Sneferu’s Bent Pyramid at Dahshur Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs B. Pyramids The Red Pyramid Located 4 km north of the bent pyramid, has flat triangular sides at a 43 degree angle, and is 104 m tall. Sneferu was burned in the red pyramid. The earliest example of a true pyramid. Sneferu’s Red Pyramid at Dahshur Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs B. Pyramids The Pyramids of Giza The construction of a true geometrical pyramid was achieved during the reign of Cheops, son of Sneferu. The Pyramids at Giza (front: Menkaure, middle: Kefren, back: Cheops) Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs B. Pyramids The Pyramid of Cheops Aka Pyramid of Khufu – 146.4 mtrs high (diminishing every year) Called the great pyramid because of its size Tallest man made structure in the world until the 14th century. The Pyramid of Cheops / Khufu Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs B. Pyramids The Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu) King’s Chamber – a red granite room that contains a now empty sarcophagus. Queen’s Chamber – located at the center Subterranean Chamber – located beneath the pyramid, its purpose, like the queen’s chamber is a mystery. Airshaft – for ventilation purposes Grand Gallery - provide access and conveyance from the lower passages up to the King's Chamber above Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs B. Pyramids The Pyramid of Kefren (Khafre) Khufu’s successor, Djedefre, built his pyramid off-site at Abu Roash, the person who succeeded Djedefre, Khafre, returned to Giza and built the pyramid of Khafre. It is 143.0 mtrs high and 705 square feet in plan. Khafre placed the pyramid on the bedrock making his pyramid to be larger than the pyramid of Khufu. The Pyramid of Kefren / Khafre Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs B. Pyramids The Pyramid of Kefren (Khafre) The Pyramid of Kefren / Khafre section Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs B. Pyramids The Pyramid of Menkaure Aka the Pyramid of Mykerinos With a height of 65 mtrs, by far the smallest of the three pyramids The Pyramid of Menkaure / Mykerinos Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs B. Pyramids The Pyramid of Menkaure Aka the Pyramid of Mykerinos With a height of 65 mtrs, by far the smallest of the three pyramids The Pyramid of Menkaure / Mykerinos section Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs C. Sphinx The Great Sphinx of Giza Colossal limestone statue of a recumbent sphinx located in Giza. Likely dating back to the reign of King Khafre and depicts his face. Measuring 73 meters long and 20 meters high The Great Sphinx of Giza Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs C. Sphinx Three Types of Sphinx 1. Androsphinx – a sphinx having the body of a lion and head of a man. Example is the Great Sphinx of Giza Androsphinx – head of King Khafre Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs C. Sphinx Three Types of Sphinx 2. Criosphinx – a sphinx having the body of a lion and head of a ram. Criosphinx, avenue of sphinx at Luxor Temple Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Early Kingdom Tombs C. Sphinx Three Types of Sphinx 3. Hieracosphinx – a sphinx having the body of a lion and head of a falcon or hawk. Hieracosphinx Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Middle Kingdom A. Mortuary Temples The middle kingdom began when Pharoah Mentuhotep united Egypt again after the first intermediate period. During the middle kingdom, the practice of Pyramid Construction disappeared, thus construction of mortuary temples began. Mortuary temples served as the place for the burial and worship of pharaohs. Pharoah Mentuhotep Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Middle Kingdom A. Mortuary Temples Notable examples: Mortuary Temple of King Mentuhotep at Deir El-Bahari. Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Middle Kingdom Mortuary Temple of Queen A. Mortuary Temples Hatshepsut at Deir El-Bahari. Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings Middle Kingdom A. Mortuary Temples Rock-cut Tomb at Beni Hassan Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings New Kingdom A. Cult Temples Many examples of cult temples of the new kingdom can be found at Karnak and Luxor, all in Thebes. An avenue of Sphinx connects the two sites. Only high priest can enter the cult temples. Pylon – entrance wall Temple of Khons, Karnak Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings New Kingdom A. Cult Temples Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings New Kingdom A. Cult Temples The Great Temple of Ammon at Karnak, Thebes the grandest of all temple Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings New Kingdom A. Cult Temples The Great Temple of Ammon at Karnak, Thebes Hypostyle Hall Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings New Kingdom A. Cult Temples The Great Temple of Abu- Simbel Built by King Rameses II The four colossal statues has the face of Rameses II Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings New Kingdom A. Cult Temples The Great Temple of Abu- Simbel Built by King Rameses II The four colossal statues has the face of Rameses II Egyptian Architecture Ar Mike Francis Arias Examples of Buildings New Kingdom Decorative Elements Columns and capitals Ornaments: Lotus, Papyrus and Palm = for fertility Solar discs and vultures = for protection Spiral and feather ornament = for eternity Scarab or sacred beetle = for ressurection End of Egyptian Architecture by Ar. Mike Francis Arias, uap