Egyptian Architecture PDF

EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE 5000BC – 1AD Instructional Material Code : HOA1W5 Module Title : Egyptian Architecture ▪ Learning Objectives: ▪ At the end module you should be able to : ▪ recognize the influence of geographical location on social life and architecture such as of pyr...

EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE 5000BC – 1AD Instructional Material Code : HOA1W5 Module Title : Egyptian Architecture ▪ Learning Objectives: ▪ At the end module you should be able to : ▪ recognize the influence of geographical location on social life and architecture such as of pyramids, tombs and temples. ▪ relate the evolution of architectural elements of column, beam, obelisk, wall relief and clerestory lighting ▪ evaluate the Architectural principles emphasizing mass rather than space and linearity and axiality as organizing principles  EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE ▪ 5000BC – 1AD ▪ Egypt is known as the “Land of the Pharaohs “, and “Desert Land”. ▪ The “Nile River” is their means of communication , highway , & lifeline. ▪ Egypt’s greatest wealth was its fertile “soil”. Geographical Influence ▪ A narrow strip of land located near the famous Nile River, which is also their means of communications, highways and source of life. ▪ A barren land with rugged cliffs, the reason why most structures were monumental in character and usually along the river Nile. ▪ The overflowing and fertilizing waters of the Nile made the desert useful. ▪ Most cities started to grow along its banks.  Geological Influence Egyptians usually use stones for their monuments and structures due to the abundance of stone materials like sandstone, limestone, alabaster, granites, basalt and porphyry. - These made many monumental structures durable. – they also made sun dried bricks made up of clay and chopped straws for their pyramid building and temples. Its exposure to sunlight made it stronger. – for their roofing materials, Egyptians commonly use date palm leaves which are also abundant in their country. – Acacia wood were used for building their boats and Sycamore tree barks for their mummy cases.  Climatic Influence Egypt has only two(2) main seasons which is the spring season and summer season. This is the reason why they built simple structures, and the uses of windows were very minimal to cut off excessive sunlight in the interior and also as protection against sandstorms. Brilliant sunshine resulted in the simplicity in design. absence of downspouts, drainages and roof gutters was very common in their buildings due to lack of rainy season. Interiors were lighted through doors and roof slits, thus there were no need for windows.  Religious influence Has two predominant types of Egyptian religious buildings: a. Temples for the gods – solemn and mysterious b. Tomb pyramids – built by the early pharaohs and kings The religion in Egypt was Monotheistic in theory, but Polytheistic in practice through the cult of many gods representing natural phenomena and the heavenly bodies such as the sun, moon, stars and by the worship of animals as personifications of gods – they have a strong belief in a future state, the reason why they built everlasting monuments such as the pyramids for the preservation of their dead  Egyptian Religion: keynotes ▪ Awe and submission to the great power represented by the sun ▪ Belief in the future state, making dwelling houses as temporary lodging and tombs as permanent abode ▪ No division between gods and kings ▪ Supremacy of the gods in the hidden world ▪ Powers of priests were in touch with both worlds.  – Egyptian gods were frequently associated in triads:  Other Egyptian gods: OSIRIS – god of the dead ISIS – wife of Osiris HORUS – son of Osiris and also the reincarnation of RAH HATHOR – goddess of love SET – dread god of evil, brother of Osiris SERAPIS – bull-god representing the strange cult of their sacred bull ANUBIS – jackal-headed god associated with mummification and the afterlife THOT - God of Knowledge, Hieroglyphs and Wisdom  Social And Political Influence Large population worked for food, enabling cheap labor for significant projects. Centralized despotic government supported the extension of grand structures. Spare time during annual floods or rafts for transporting stones might have aided construction. Later, captives and foreigners were forced to work on public projects, raising concerns among the native population.  Social And Political Influence Egyptian civilization is considered as the most ancient of all civilizations of which its information is only derived from ancient literary sources, from records on old papyrus and stone tablets and from inscriptions from early Egyptian buildings. Social life of the Egyptians were graphically depicted in wall sculptures of tombs which portray Egyptians at war, at play, at the chase, on the farm, at business, and in the weaving sheds and workshops. Craftsmanship was very highly developed mainly in the royal workshops, and they attained great skills in weaving, glass- blowing, pottery, metal works, musical instruments, jewelry and furniture making. Egyptian priests carried out the pursuit of learning in astronomy, mathematics and philosophy.  Social And Political Influence PHARAOH – title given by the Hebrews for the kings of the Ancient Egypt. – derived from the Egyptian word “Per-aa”, which means the “Great House”. – there are 30 recorded dynasties of Pharaohs in Ancient Egypt based from the writings of Manetho (an Egyptian priest in 300 BC) who compiled ancient Egyptian History in Greek. Seen as gods dwelling on earth Sole masters of the country and its inhabitants Builders and leaders Initiated the design, financing, quarrying and transporting of materials, organization of labor and construction itself.  Historical Influence Egyptian civilization is the oldest known, dating back over 4,000 years BC. Information comes from Holy Scripture, Greek and Roman authors, and Egyptian buildings. The pyramids are remarkably ancient, predating any structure in Western Asia. The Kings or pharaohs are arranged in thirty dynasties until BC 332, based on the work of Egyptian priest Manetho.  Historical Influence The nineteenth dynasty, led by Rameses I and his grandson Rameses II, marked a brilliant era of Egyptian art seen in the temples of Thebes and other locations. Egypt was later conquered by the Persians in 527 BC, but Alexander the Great recaptured it in 332 BC. After Alexander’s death, Egypt passed to Ptolemy, forming a dynasty that ruled until 31 BC. Following wars and the death of Cleopatra, Egypt became a Roman province. In AD 638, the Arabs conquered Egypt, leaving significant monuments. It became part of the Turkish dominions in AD 1517.  DIVISIONS OF DYNASTIES OF ANCIENT EGYPT: A. Ancient Kingdom - divided into 3 periods: Archaic period (1st - 2nd Dynasties), Old Kingdom (3rd – 6th Dynasties), and 1st Intermediate period (7th – 10th Dynasties). – its early capital was located in Memphis throughout the pyramid building periods. – it is this period were the art of writing and the hieroglyphic system were already being developed.  HIEROGLYPHS - were a formal writing system used by the ancient Egyptians that combined logographic and alphabetic elements. - derived from the Greek words “Heiros” (sacred) and “Glypho” (carve or engrave)  Hieroglyphics The use of surface decoration derived from the practice of scratching pictures (hieroglyphics) on the early mud-plaster walls were common, thus there was no projecting ornaments. ANCIENT KINGDOM b. Middle Kingdom – divided into two(2) periods: the Middle Kingdom (11th – 12th Dynasties) and the Second Intermediate period (13th – 17th Dynasties) Key Pharaohs: 1. MENTUHETEP II – unified the whole country of Egypt under his reign. - he built an elaborate terraced mortuary temple combined with a small completely solid pyramid raised on a high base 2. AMENEMHAT I – was energetic and enterprising and consolidated the administrative system of Egypt -he made the survey of all Egypt and set boundaries to all its provinces, restored all its temples and built the Great Temple of Karnak. 3. SENUSRET I – erected the earliest known Obelisk at Heliopolis. “Obelisk” - in architecture, it is tall pillar of square section tapering upwards and ending in a pyramid at the tip. sacred symbol of sun-god Heliopolis usually came in pairs fronting temple entrances height of nine or ten times the diameter at the base Four sides features hieroglyphics c. New Kingdom (18th – 30th Dynasties) – the country was glorious in the likes of art peace and War and its main capita was established at Thebes. Key Pharaohs: 1. THOTHMES I – began the additions to the Temple of Ammon at Karnak – first Pharaoh to be buried in the rock-cut corridor Tombs of the Kings in the Thebes mountains. 2. QUEEN HATSHEPSUT - patronized the arts of peace, re- established religious rites and built the fascinating funerary temple at Der el-Bahari. 3. THOTHMES III – one of the greatest Pharaohs of Egypt who is known for foreign wars and home reforms, rebuilt and decorated many temples. 4. RAMESES I – began the construction of the Great Hypostyle Hall at Kharnak. 5. RAMESES II - continued and finished the construction of the Great Hypostyle Hall at Kharnak and also built the Rock Temple at Abu Simbel and the Rameseum at Thebes. NEW KINGDOM D. Ptolemaic Period (332 BC – 30 BC) – this covers the time of Alexander the Great when he rescued Egypt from the Persian invasions and then he made Alexandria as the new capital of Egypt. After Alexander the Great died, Egypt fell to his General Ptolemy and the lower valley of the Nile was the seat of a prosperous and powerful kingdom.  D. Ptolemaic Period Ptolemy II – famous for the erection of Pharos (lighthouse) of Alexandria  Ptolemy III – he founded the Great Serapeum of Alexandria, which was among the most magnificent buildings of the ancient world, and later rebuilt during the Roman period.  Ptolemy V – inherited the valuable Rosetta stone (already displayed in the British Museum), which has provided a valuable key to the hieroglyphic records of Egyptian history after the death of Queen Cleopatra, Egypt became a Roman province. Old/Ancient Kingdom Examples  Old/Ancient Kingdom ▪ A period of mastaba and pyramid building  Old/Ancient Kingdom Archaic Period ▪ 1st-2nd dynasty where Menos formed Memphis as capital and civilization progressed, art of writing and hieroglyphics developed. ▪ Tombs were of the mastaba type  Old/Ancient Kingdom Old Kingdom ▪ 2nd - 5th dynasty where Thebes was the chief city. ▪ The royal mastaba evolved towards the true pyramid, shown by the step pyramid of the Pharaoh Zoser of Sakkara. ▪ Pyramid of Djoser ▪ Very first of any of the pyramids built in Egypt, built during the Old Kingdom's 3rd Dynasty. ▪ 254 feet tall, with seven steps. ▪ Djoser ruled about 2668-2649 BC ▪ Built for Djoser by master architect Imhotep  Sphinx ▪ The Sphinx located on the Giza plateau, was carved on the 4th dynasty by pharaoh Chephren or Khafre ▪ Carved out of the native bedrock ▪ has the body of a lion and Pharaoh Chephren's face ▪ Became associated with the Egyptian god Harmakhis  Old/Ancient Kingdom 1st Intermediate period ▪ 6th-10th dynasty ▪ Where the royal pyramid fully evolved in the culmination represented by the Great Pyramid at Gizeh by Pharaoh Cheops, Chephren and Mykerinos.  Old/Ancient Kingdom ▪ The most famous pyramids in Egypt are the Pyramids of Gizeh, built more than 2,000 years B.C. to shelter and safeguard the souls of Egyptian pharaohs. MIDDLE Kingdom  MIDDLE KINGDOM ▪ A period where temples and pyramids where built by different pharaohs. The pylon The second hall The hypostyle hall The sanctuary The courtyard The sacred lake  MIDDLE KINGDOM Menhutep II ▪ Led a progressive recovery of political stability and mastery of the arts. ▪ Built terraced mortuary temple at Der el-Bahari which combined a small solid pyramid raised on a high base with a rock-cut tomb deep into the base of a sheer cliff.  MIDDLE KINGDOM Amenemhet I ▪ Consolidated the administrative system ▪ Surveyed the country and set boundaries for provinces ▪ Carried out irrigation and re-opened quarries ▪ Restored temples of the Great Temple of Karnak  MIDDLE KINGDOM Senusrets I ▪ Erected the Heliopolis (earliest known large obelisks)  MIDDLE KINGDOM Amenemhet III ▪ Fostered art and industry and irrigated the Fayum and built the Labyrinth New Kingdom Examples  New Kingdom Thothmes I ▪ Began additions to the temple of Ammon, Karnak, which is considered as the most imposing building in Egypt. ▪ The first pharaoh to be buried in the rock cut “corridor” Tombs of the Kings in the Theban Mountain.  New Kingdom ▪ Queen Hatshepsut ▪ Aka “The Queen Elizabeth I” of Egypt ▪ Patronized arts of peace ▪ Re-established religious rites and built the funerary temple of Der-el-Bagari.  New Kingdom Amenophis III ▪ Built the greater part of the Temple of Luxor ▪ Added the pylons and sphinxes at Karnak ▪ Erected the colossi at Memnon  New Kingdom Rameses I Seti I ▪ Began the great Hypostyle ▪ Restored many monuments and Hall at Karnak built the Temple of Abydos, his own sepulcher at the tombs of the Kings.  New Kingdom Rameses II ▪ Rock Temples of Abu Simbel, finishes the Hypostyle Hall Of Karnak  New Kingdom The Colossi of Memnon ▪ Two colossal statues of Amenhotep III [ca 1386-1349 BC] placed at the entrance of his mortuary temple. ▪ Each was carved from a single block of stone, stands 68 feet high and weighs 70 tons.  New Kingdom Rameses II (“The Great”) ▪ Built the Rock Temples of Abu Simbel, the Hypostyle Hall at Karnak and the Ramesseum at Thebes.  Architectural Character A. simplicity – use of simple geometric shape in their base plans for temples B. Solidity and massiveness – building are made of solid stone boulders and large mud bricks for their external battered walls due to unstable shrinking foundation bed, and for their structures to last eternity. C. Grandeur – Egyptian structures tend to look monumental because it essentially uses a columnar and trabeated style especially in the pyramids, tombs and temples, of which can be seen by their massive pylons, great courts, hypostyle halls and secret rooms. Trabeated – a style in architecture like in the Greek structures, where beams forms the constructive feature of construction Battered walls – a term in architecture applied to a wall with an inclined face.  Architectural Character The keynote to the architectural character was: Simple, massive and monumental Impressive by its solemnity and gloom Solidity, suggesting its intention to last eternally  Method of Construction Columnar and Trabeated ▪ Massive funerary monuments and temples were built of: ▪ stone using post and lintel construction ▪ columns carry the stone lintels supporting a flat roof ▪ roof or ceiling supported by rows of columns received light from clerestories  Batter Walls One of the principal characteristics of Egyptian architecture Made use of sun dried mud-brick diminishing course by course towards the top with inward inclination towards the top.  5 Classifications of Ancient Egyptian Architecture 1. Tombs 2.Temples 3.Obelisks 4. Sphinxes 5.Dwellings 1. Tombs Egyptian Architecture has 3 types of Tombs a. Mastaba b. Royal Pyramids c. Rock cut or Rock hewn tombs  a. Mastaba ▪ A rectangular flat-topped, funerary mound, with battered sides covering a burial chamber below ground with the following provisions: ▪ Serdab – a completely enclosed room where the head of a statue of the deceased is contained ▪ Stele – an upright stone slab inscribed with the name of the decease, funerary texts and relief carvings intended to serve in the event of failure in the supply of daily offerings. It is found in the offering room. ▪ Column hall – with walls lined with presentations or hieroglyphics depicting the life of the dead. ▪ Sarcophagus – an elaborate Egyptian coffin for an important personality or Royal person in underground chamber.  Mastaba – rectangle structure, side sloping of 75 deg. and flat roof. Mastabas of Thy, Sakkara (5th dynasty)  b. Royal Pyramids ▪ A massive funerary structure of stone or brick with a square base and four sloping triangular sides, oriented on the cardinal point, meeting at the apex PARTS OF A PYRAMID ▪ Offering chapel with a stele ▪ Mortuary temple for the worship of the dead and deified pharaoh ▪ Raised and enclosed causeway leading to the valley building ▪ Valley building in which embalmment was carried out and interment rites performed. Evolution of the Royal Pyramids 1. Step Pyramid – an ancient Egyptian tomb derived from the mastaba tombs that was composed of series of successively smaller mastabas one on top of another. an existing example of this tomb was the Step Pyramid of Zoser at Sakarra, which was the world’s first large-scale monument made of stone, and designed by the famous ancient Egyptian architect Imhotep. 2. Bent Pyramid – a kind of Egyptian pyramid that has two slopes on each sides. the most famous example of the bent pyramid was the South Pyramid of Seneferu at Dashur, which is 102 meters (335 ft) high and has an inclination of the slope of 54deg. 15’ halfway of its height, and then inclination of 43 deg. In the upper part of the pyramid. 3. Slope Pyramid – a kind of Pyramid which is considered as the most famous of all types of Egyptian pyramids. its four sides is oriented at the four cardinal points of the compass and nearly equilateral triangles with an inclination of 51deg. 52’ to the ground.  3 Famous Slope Pyramids in Giza A. Pyramid of Mykerinos (Menkaura) – built during the 4th Dynasty and considered as the smallest pyramids of Giza. has a square base of 109 meters (356 ft) and a height of 66.5 meters (218 ft) and with each sides sloping at 51 deg. to the ground B. Pyramid of Chephren (Khafra) – built during the 4th Dynasty and considered as the 2nd largest pyramid of the three famous pyramids of Giza has a square base of 216 meters (708 ft) and a height of 143 (470 ft) and has a steeper inclination in each sides sloping at 51 deg. To the ground. included in the complex building is the famous Great Sphinx of Chepren. Great Sphinx – the colossal enigmatic monster carved from a spur of rock which bears the head of the Pharaoh Chephren wearing the royal head-dress, false beard and cobra brow- ornament and has a body of a recumbent lion. C. Pyramid of Cheops ( Khufu) – built during the 4th Dynasty and considered as the largest pyramid of the three famous pyramids in Giza. Cheops was the son of Pharaoh Seneferu and the 2nd King of the 4th Dynasty. has a square base of 230.6 meters (756 ft) and a height of 146 meters (480 ft) and has an inclination in each sides sloping at 51 deg. 52’ to the ground. The Royal Pyramid Complex at Giza  Four (4) main parts of Pyramid of Cheops 1. King’s Chamber – it is where the granite sarcophagus of Cheops is located. 2. Grand Gallery – a passage covered by a ramped corbelled vault of seven great courses and closed by stone slabs. 3. Queen’s Chamber 4. Subterranean Chamber  Pyramid of Cheops King’s Chamber Queen’s Chamber  c. Rock hewn tomb ▪ A type of tomb serving the nobility rather than the royalty. ▪ The sides of the mountain were cut and a small chapel is excavated with chambers descending several hundred feet inside the cliff.  c. Rock Hewn tomb ▪ 1. Bani Hasan ▪ – 39 tombs of great provincial family which consists of a chamber behind a porticoed façade  c. Rock Hewn Tomb 2. Tombs of the Kings, Thebes ▪ Corridor type, where stairs, passages and chambers extend into the mountain side and below the valley floor. ▪ It serves only for the sarcophagus and funerary deposits. ▪ The mortuary temple stood completely detached. 2.Temples  2. Temples ▪ Used for mysterious rites and priestly processions wherein only kings and priest may pass through TYPES OF TEMPLES ▪ Mortuary Temple – built to honor defied and dead Pharaohs ▪ Cult Temple – built mainly for worship of the Egyptian ancient gods and goddesses.  Parts of a Temple ▪ Entrance pylons – massive slopping towers fronted by an obelisks (pennon poles) ▪ Hypaethral court – a rectangular palisaded court surrounded on three sides by a double colonnade ▪ Hypostyle hall – a pavilion, a pillared hall, a covered structure or a columned vestibule in which the roof rests on columns ▪ Clerestory – a device used by the Egyptians to light the interior of the hypostyle hall. The roof on the center aisle was raised over the side aisle so that light is admitted through an opening over the roofs of the aisle. ▪ Sanctuary (chapels) – surrounded by passages and chambers used in connection with the temple service  Entrance Pylon at the Temple of Horus, Edfu Pylon Hypaethral Court  For the popular worship of the ancient mysterious gods cult temple Mortuary temple For ministrations to deified pharaohs  2. Temples Temple of Amon, Karnak Grandest example of Egyptian temple and planning. Amenemhat commenced the planning.  karnak Name of a long-used Egyptian temple near Luxor, the largest of the religious sanctuaries in Thebes. The earliest form of Karnak dates to the Middle Kingdom; it was dedicated to the deity Amun-Re during the rule of 12th dynasty (c. 2000 BC) Pharaoh Senwosert I. Expansions to the site continued throughout Egyptian dynastic history, including extensive additions during the 18th and 19th dynasties of the New Kingdom. The temple fell into disuse during the Ptolemaic period.  2. Temples Temple of Khonsu, Karnak ▪ A cult temple with a most typical plan: ▪ Avenue of sphinxes ▪ Obelisks ▪ Grand entrance pylon ▪ Hypaethral court ▪ Hypostyle hall ▪ Sanctuary, chapels ▪ High girdle wall  2. Temples Ramesseum, Thebes by Ramesses II ▪ Typical mortuary temple of the New Kingdom  2. Temples Great Temple, Abu Simbel by Ramesses II  2. Temples Great Temple, Abu Simbel ▪ Most famous rock hewn temple by Ramesses II with his 65’ high colossal statue  The mummy of Ramesses II was exposed to some parasites, and experts felt it necessary to treat them. So as not to damaged the King's Mummy, they decided to send it to France. However, French law does not allow any person to enter the country alive or dead only with a passport. To enable Ramesses II to enter France the Egyptian Government issues him a passport to enable him to travel. The attached photo is a photograph of the passport of Ramesses II with his nationality "Egyptian“ and the date of his birth 1303 BC and his occupation as King.  Mammisi Temple ▪ Small shrines dedicated to the priest of the Goddess Isis which became the prototype of Greek temple. ▪ These are sanctuaries perpetrating the traditions of the divine birth of a Pharaoh. ▪ Best example is the Temple Island of Elephantine  Parts of a Mammisi Temple ▪ Birth house – small chamber or room which contains the statue of Isis with an altar surrounded by colonnade or portico of pillars, partly concealed by a low wall and rose on a podium and approached by a flight of steps from one end. ▪ Cyptoporticus ▪ - a low wall 3. Obelisks  3. Obelisks ▪ Huge monolith, square in plan and tapering to it sacred part, the electrium-capped pyramid at the summit. ▪ The sacred symbol of the sun god Heliopolis. ▪ It usually stood in pairs outside temple entrances. ▪ The height is from 9-10 times the Diameter at the base with the four side cut with hieroglyphics.  a. Obelisk at the PIAZZA ST. GIOVANNI, ROME –built by the Pharaoh Thotmes III in his temple in Ammon at Karnak, Thebes and is considered as the largest of the obelisk in Rome. -It is 32 mts. (105 ft) high without the added pedestal and 2.7 mts. (9 ft.) square at the base, the 1.9 mts. (6ft) at the top most part, and weighs approx. 230 tons (240,000 kilos)  b. Cleopatra’s Needle, Thames Embankment , London Originally built in Heliopolis Egypt, and was brought to London from Alexandria in 1878. -It has the inscriptions of the Pharaohs Thotmes III and Rameses II. -It is 20.9 mts (68 ft) , 2.4mts x 2.3 mts (8 ft x 5 ft) at the base and weighs 180 tons (180,000 kilos) c. The Vatican Obelisk, Rome -At the center of the ovato tondo stands an Egyptian obelisk of red granite, 25.5 meters tall, supported on bronze lions and surmounted by the chigi arms in bronze, in all 41 meters to the cross on its top. The obelisk was originally erected at Heliopolis by an unknown pharaoh of the 5th dynasty of Egypt but during its history of c. 4400 years ( at the start of 2010s), the obelisk has been successfully moved 3 times. -In 37 A.D, Caligula ordered the forum demolished and the obelisk transferred to Rome. He had it placed on the spina which ran along the center of the Circus Nero, where it would preside over Nero’s countless brutal games and Christian executions. -Vatican obelisk is the only obelisk in Rome that has not toppled since ancient Roman times. During the Middle Ages, the gilt ball on the top of the obelisk was believed to contain the ashes of Julius Caesar 4. Sphinxes  4. Sphinxes ▪ Mythical monsters with a body of a lion and head of a man, hawk or ram. ▪ Best example is the Great Sphinx at Gizeh, which represented god Horus and is 65’ high 188’ long, with a face 13 feet 6 inches wide and a mouth 8 feet 6 inches long, partly rock and partly masonry ▪ The Sphinx is considered a marvel and symbolizes an unsolvable mystery. Androsphinx Human-headed Criosphinx Ram-headed Heriosphinx Hawk-headed 5. Dwellings  Dwellings ▪ Wealthy lived in palaces or villas ▪ General population lived in row houses built of sun-dried mud bricks (chopped straw mixed with sun-dried mud) covered over with a thin layer of plaster. ▪ One or two-storey high were built to a simple, square design, with a flat roof ▪ Topped by a terrace where the inhabitants could sit and enjoy the cool, fresh, evening air  Dwellings ▪ Flat or arched ceilings and a parapet roof ▪ Rooms looked toward north facing a court ▪ Rooms small and dark, with narrow windows and low ceilings ▪ Had a central hall, living rooms with clerestory, reception suite, service and private quarter ▪ Cellars for storage  Dwellings Ancient Egyptian houses were built of wood or sundried bricks and had one, two, or three stories. No authentic remains exist, but a conjecturally restored illustration of an Egyptian house was erected at the Paris Exhibition in 1889. The restored house had a garden in front, fish-ponds, a central corridor giving access to rooms, a staircase leading to a veranda and a flat roof, and was decorated with colorful paint.  Comparative Study of Architectural Elements Plans: Temples were planned for internal effect and had grand hypostyle halls with many pillars and mysterious illumination from above Externally, temples had massive pylons decorated with incised decorations, and often had obelisks and sphinxes in front. Construction of these temples took many centuries, with continuous additions and modifications. Egyptian temple planning sometimes lacked symmetry, giving rise to a picturesque and irregular grouping of walls and features. Walls Walls were immensely thick, sometimes made of granite in important buildings and bricks faced with granite in less important ones. The walls of temples had a characteristic slope inwards or batter towards the top, giving them a massive appearance. Unlike Greek Architecture, Egyptian buildings typically lacked external columns, with a massive blank wall and a characteristics cornice as the main features Walls were decorated with fine plaster and low relief executed in bright colors, contributing to the style’s simplicity , solidity and grandeur Openings: Openings in Egyptian temples were mostly square headed and covered with massive lintels The arch was not commonly used in Egyptian architecture, as the style was predominantly trabeated (using beams and lintels) Temples rarely had window opening, instead light was admitted through clerestories in the earlier examples or over low dwarf walls between columns in later period (Ptolemaic and Roman) Columns: Egyptian Architecture drew inspiration from natural elements such as papyrus reed and the lotus water lily Columns usually around six times their diameter in height were designed to resemble the stalks of these plants Had bands at intervals to mimic the tied appearance of the reeds. Capitals of the columns were derived from the lotus plant 1. Lotus Bud 2. the Fully Grown Lotus flower 3. The Palm - the Isis or Hathor-headed capital found at Dendera and Philae resembles heads of the goddess Isis supporting a model of a pylon. Composite capital Bundled papyrus Bundled papyrus 2 papyrus species: stalks with lotus stalks (painted red, Eight plants of the blossoms (volutes) largest), palmettes, common Cyperus Dendur Temple, Nubia, and closed buds papyrus (above) Edfu Temple of Horus, (lotus?) alternate with eight Philae Temple of Isis of Cyperus Edfu alopecuroides (below) Papyrus Columns  Edfu, philae Palmette Papyrus Palm column at column at Edfu column Edfu Hypostyle Temple of Hall Open capital Horus Top (broken): palm leaves Center: Palmette  Columns Hathor-headed ▪ Capitals formed of heads of the goddess supporting the model of a temple front at Philae Temple of Isis Birth House colonnade ▪ Capital, the top of the column, had a plant theme. ▪ At the transition of the capital to the shaft, five bands might be found representing the lashing which held together the bundle of stems of which the earliest columns were made. ▪ Bundles of papyrus stalks used as supports in mud huts were transformed into the majestic carved stone papyrus columns and capitals of the temples.  Columns The leading external features of Greek architecture, are NOT used externally in Egyptian buildings, which normally have a massive blank wall crowned with the characteristic "gorge" cornice of roll and hollow moulding.  The use of the characteristic Egyptian “gorge” cornice or kheker cresting, which was the result of the pressure of the roofs against the top of the wall reeds.  Columns ▪ Early period columns were often made from one large monolithic block ▪ Later periods columns were usually built up in sectional blocks ▪ Vegetable origin – the shafts of bundles of plant stems gathered at the base ▪ Principal motif was derived from the lotus bud, the papyrus flower, or the palm Roofs: Roofs in Egyptian architecture were made of massive blocks of stone Temples had flat roofs, supported by enclosing walls and closely spaced columns Flat roofs were also used in dwelling-houses for family gatherings and enjoyment of views Rock-cut temples sometimes had ceilings slightly arched in form , and the roofing was designed to represent timber construction  Roofs ▪ Flat ▪ Made from flat reed and mud Mouldings: The main mouldings used in Egyptian Architecture were the hollow and bead, often combined together, They were commonly found crowning the upper part of pylons and walls.  Ornaments Symbolic ornaments played a significant role in Egyptian Architecture. Column features included the solar disc or globe and the vulture with outspread wings symbolizing protection. Diaper patterns, spirals, and the feather ornament were frequently used. The scarab, or sacred beetle, was a symbol of resurrection and represented the Egyptian religion Egyptians were skilled in using colors, primary blue, red, and yellow, for wall decorations. Heiroglyphics were an integral part of decoration, conveying both decorative and instructional purposes.  Types of ornaments GEOMETRIC ANIMAL PLANT Zigzag or Vulture Lotus chevron Winged disk Palm Lozenges or with globe Papyrus diamond- Cobra or shaped ureans parallelogram Beetle or Rope and scarab feather Human head Continuous (Head of coil spiral Hathor) Diaper pattern Quadruple spiral  Geometric 1. Zigzag or chevron 2. Lozenges or diamond-shaped parallelogram 3. Rope and feather 4. Continuous coil spiral 5. Diaper pattern 6. Quadruple spiral  Animal 1. Vulture – symbolizes protection and material care, usually found on the ceilings, cavetto cornices and gateways. 2. Winged disk with globe – used for jewelries and head dresses 3. Cobra or ureans – symbolizes death and sued as decorative elements for the friezes of the cavetto cornice 4. Beetle or scarab – a purely ornamental motif and usually place on mummy cases; symbolizes creation of life and death. 5. Human head (Head of Hathor) used as column capital  Luxor Temple -ornaments Papyrus column: smooth shaft, Papyrus column: bundled shaft, open capital closed bud capital; AKA Clustered column LOTUS COLUMN: LOTUS AND VOLUTE CAPITAL SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT: Draw and discuss the timeline of the evolution of the Tomb Architecture of Egypt in 9” x 12” paper size, layout - landscape  Thank you for listening! “Egypt in Crisis!”