1) When Egypt was first developed, it was separated into 2 main areas:

Lower Egypt Upper Egypt

a) Region towards the mouth a) The region where the valley is

of the Nile River carved into the desert.

2) Soon Egypt established a Pharaoh (a ruler) and dynasties, because of this Egyptian history was divided into three major periods:

a) The Old Kingdom 3,100 BC

b) The Middle Kingdom 2,000 BC

c) The New Kingdom 1,500 BC

3) There was a total of 31 dynasties during all 3 periods in Egyptian history.

Old Kingdom: Important TermsOld Kingdom: Important Terms1. Pharaoh: a ruler who would govern with complete

authority.

2. Dynasty: was a period during which a single family provided a succession of rulers.

3. Mastabas: Tombs that are flat-topped, single-story, trapezoidal structures.

4. Sarcophagus: Stone coffin. **These protected the deceased ruler/pharaoh’s mummy.

The The Narmer PaletteNarmer Palette, also known as the , also known as the Palette of Palette of NarmerNarmer, is a significant , is a significant Egyptian archeological archeological find, dating from about 3100 BC, containing some find, dating from about 3100 BC, containing some of the earliest of the earliest hieroglyphic inscriptions ever inscriptions ever found. It is thought by some to depict the found. It is thought by some to depict the unification of unification of Upper and and Lower Egypt under the under the king king Narmer. It is referred that the Narmer . It is referred that the Narmer Palette as "the first historical document in the Palette as "the first historical document in the world".world".[1] Each side is divided into Each side is divided into registersregisters, or , or horizontal bands.horizontal bands.

OLD KINGDOMOLD KINGDOM

1)1) The The Old Kingdom began around 3100 B.COld Kingdom began around 3100 B.C, it was the , it was the richest and most creative period in Egyptian history. richest and most creative period in Egyptian history. Lower and Upper Egypt were brought together by Lower and Upper Egypt were brought together by the pharaoh the pharaoh Menes. Menes.

2)2) All the pyramids were built at this time. The first to All the pyramids were built at this time. The first to build one was build one was King DjoserKing Djoser himself.himself.

3)3) Pyramid-building is mathematically not a complex Pyramid-building is mathematically not a complex affair, but the Egyptians learned the art slowly. affair, but the Egyptians learned the art slowly. Djoser's pyramid, called the Djoser's pyramid, called the Stepped PyramidStepped Pyramid, is not , is not a smooth pyramid, but a series of six bases built one a smooth pyramid, but a series of six bases built one on top of another. on top of another.

4)4) What was the purpose/function of What was the purpose/function of pyramids??pyramids??

4)4) King DjoserKing Djoser hired an innovative royal architect by hired an innovative royal architect by the name of the name of Imhotep Imhotep to build his famous to build his famous Stepped Stepped PyramidPyramid. .

5)5) The Stepped Pyramid The Stepped Pyramid was a pyramid with was a pyramid with stepped construction by placing 6 stepped construction by placing 6 mastabamastaba-like -like structures of decreasing size on top of each other. structures of decreasing size on top of each other.

6) **It’s important to know that Imotep has the honor of being the first known artist in recorded history!

7) Even though the Stepped Pyramid resembles 7) Even though the Stepped Pyramid resembles the Sumerians ziggurats, the purpose of this the Sumerians ziggurats, the purpose of this structure is much different. The Ziggurats were structure is much different. The Ziggurats were made out of mud bricks whereas the Stepped made out of mud bricks whereas the Stepped Pyramid is Pyramid is a limestone tomb a limestone tomb designed to protect designed to protect King Djoser’s mummy and symbolize his godlike King Djoser’s mummy and symbolize his godlike power.power.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nRK6DTpX5Ts

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2dpvGifK8E

ART ACTIVITY

**On the sheet provided, design YOUR version of a Stepped Pyramid.

Keep the following in mind when designing your pyramid:

1)What will it look like on the A) outside and B) Inside and C) below? You MUST draw all three views.

2)If you were constructing one for a Pharaoh, what would your traps and secret passage ways look like and why? What is your pyramid hiding besides the body? Below your drawing give a description of your stepped pyramid and your design

3)Be CREATIVE and INVENTIVE with your design and layout! **Use the real ones you learned about as a GUIDE to help create yours!

Importance of Kings/Pharaohs:Importance of Kings/Pharaohs:

The The PharaohPharaoh or king played a very important or king played a very important role in Egyptian liferole in Egyptian life. . PharaohsPharaohs were were considered the son of the sun god named considered the son of the sun god named ReRe. . Because of this pharaoh’s were seen as Because of this pharaoh’s were seen as godlikegodlike and they and they had absolute powerhad absolute power. A pharaoh’s . A pharaoh’s power did not end when they died because power did not end when they died because Egyptians believe that the pharaoh rejoined his Egyptians believe that the pharaoh rejoined his solar father and continued to influence life along solar father and continued to influence life along the Nile. Egypt’s monumental works of art were the Nile. Egypt’s monumental works of art were built to ensure the pharaoh’s continuing built to ensure the pharaoh’s continuing goodwill. goodwill.

Importance of Religion

1)1) Religion was extremely important to Religion was extremely important to ancient Egyptians.ancient Egyptians.

2) Their religion placed great importance on 2) Their religion placed great importance on the resurrection of the soul and having the resurrection of the soul and having eternal life in a spirit world after death.eternal life in a spirit world after death.

3) They believed the human soul 3) They believed the human soul (also called (also called the “Ka”) the “Ka”) came into being with the body came into being with the body and remained in the body until death.and remained in the body until death.

4) At death, the 4) At death, the “ka” “ka” would leave the body for would leave the body for awhile and eventually return/reunite with awhile and eventually return/reunite with the body fro the journey to the next world the body fro the journey to the next world and immortality.and immortality.

5) If a body were ever lost or destroyed the 5) If a body were ever lost or destroyed the “ka” “ka” would be left to spend eternity would be left to spend eternity wandering aimlessly.wandering aimlessly.

6) Egyptians went to great lengths to 6) Egyptians went to great lengths to preserve and protect the body after death.preserve and protect the body after death.

7) Egyptians had a complicated preservation 7) Egyptians had a complicated preservation process: embalming and wrapping the process: embalming and wrapping the body in strips of cloth and then burying body in strips of cloth and then burying the body in a fortress-like tomb. the body in a fortress-like tomb. ExampleExample: : Mummies/MummificationMummies/Mummification

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4PLBpLBuCY

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNk_cmcj8LU

The Great Pyramids of Giza

1)1) The most important tombs were built for the The most important tombs were built for the pharaohs.pharaohs.

2) Many of these tombs came in the form of 2) Many of these tombs came in the form of pyramids.pyramids.

3) Pharaohs were given such elaborate tombs 3) Pharaohs were given such elaborate tombs because to the people they were expected because to the people they were expected to join other gods after death.to join other gods after death.

4) These gods that they were expected to join 4) These gods that they were expected to join were: were:

a) a) ReRe- - Sun godSun godb) b) OsirisOsiris- - God of the Nile/ruler of underworldGod of the Nile/ruler of underworldc) c) IsisIsis- - the great mother godthe great mother god

5) EACH pyramid was built to house and protect 5) EACH pyramid was built to house and protect the body of the pharaoh along with all his the body of the pharaoh along with all his treasures, etc.treasures, etc.

6) The body was always sealed in a 6) The body was always sealed in a SarcophagusSarcophagus- a - a

stone coffin.stone coffin.

7) Most of these pyramids contained dead end 7) Most of these pyramids contained dead end passages, fake chambers, etc. to confuse passages, fake chambers, etc. to confuse robbers and enemies. This was all in order to robbers and enemies. This was all in order to protect the body so it made it to the after life.protect the body so it made it to the after life.

1) The three largest and most famous 1) The three largest and most famous pyramids located in the valley consist pyramids located in the valley consist of the of the Great Pyramid of Khufu Great Pyramid of Khufu ,, the the Pyramid of KafhrePyramid of Kafhre and the and the Pyramid of Pyramid of MenkauraMenkaura.. Each Pyramid is a tomb Each Pyramid is a tomb dedicated to a different king of Egypt. dedicated to a different king of Egypt. Unfortunately, like many of the great Unfortunately, like many of the great kings of the kings of the Old Kingdom of Egypt, the of Egypt, the Pyramids of Menkaura, Khufu, and Pyramids of Menkaura, Khufu, and Kafhre were not finished by the end of Kafhre were not finished by the end of each respective king's reign. each respective king's reign.

2) The whole complex/ area around 2) The whole complex/ area around these 3 pyramids are connected by a these 3 pyramids are connected by a cause way, cause way, to 3 valley templesto 3 valley temples and and the Sphnixthe Sphnix, these in turn are linked , these in turn are linked by a canal to the Nile.by a canal to the Nile.

3) It took 3) It took thousands of workers thousands of workers decades decades to complete a single pyramid.to complete a single pyramid.

4) Each pyramid was made from 4) Each pyramid was made from limestonelimestone..

5) Each piece of limestone was carefully 5) Each piece of limestone was carefully lifted into place.lifted into place.

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CpjMxXG52s

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxP46jWYglI

Sculptures from the Old KingdomWHAT SIMILARITIES DO YOU SEE BETWEEN THESE TWO IMAGES???WHAT SIMILARITIES DO YOU SEE BETWEEN THESE TWO IMAGES???

Sculpture of KhafreSculpture of Khafre The Great SphinxThe Great Sphinx

The Sphinx

1) 1) The Great SphinxThe Great Sphinx is one of the world’s is one of the world’s largest and oldest statueslargest and oldest statues

2) This was one of the most 2) This was one of the most familiar/impressive examples of sculpture familiar/impressive examples of sculpture during the during the Old KingdomOld Kingdom..

3) Carved from one piece of solid rock at the 3) Carved from one piece of solid rock at the site.site.

4) The head is that of the pharaoh 4) The head is that of the pharaoh KhafreKhafre placed on the body of a lion.placed on the body of a lion.

5) It’s total height is 65 ft.5) It’s total height is 65 ft.

Why Sculptures were so Important:Why Sculptures were so Important:

What would happen if a ruler’s mummy was damaged or destroyed?

Fortunately, sculptors had an ingenious alternative. If something happened to the mummy, a statue could serve as an abode for the Ka (soul). The Egyptian sculptures you see today in museums, etc. were originally created for tombs and temples.

1) Egyptians believed that even if the real body of a pharaoh, etc. were destroyed, the ka (soul) would be able to enter the stone substitute for the journey to the next world.

2) When artists created images of the pharaoh, they wanted to make sure that all the parts of the body were clearly shown so strict rules were set when creating their art pieces. This was important for example: if an arm were hidden behind the body in a relief sculpture or painting, it meant that the ka (soul) would enter a body that was without an arm and would be deformed throughout eternity.

3) A complete image was vital which to them was more important then making the art piece beautiful which caused distortion and unnatural looks.

Statue of Khafre

1) The artistic principle that “form follows function” provides a key to understanding Old Kingdom sculpture. For example: carefully look at the famous seated statue of Khafre.Khafre.

2) The statue is designed to last for eternity. It is made out of diorite, one of the hardest and most durable stones a sculptor can use.

Statue of Khafre

3) The sculpture of Khafre’s body is regal and compact, with no exposed limbs that could break!!! WHY???

* He is portrayed as having muscular, flawless body that befits an all-powerful god-king. The falcon god, Horus, who enfolds the king’s head with his wings, protects him.

4)The Statue of Khafre projects dignity, power, and above all, permanence.

The Middle Kingdom ( 2050-1800 B.C.)

1) Nobles from the city of Thebes unified the country 1) Nobles from the city of Thebes unified the country during this time.during this time.

2) This was a time of law and order in Egypt.2) This was a time of law and order in Egypt.3) 3) Pharaohs weren’t as powerful during this time.Pharaohs weren’t as powerful during this time.4) During the end of this period, the Egyptians were 4) During the end of this period, the Egyptians were

invaded by the Hyksos, but soon the Egyptians invaded by the Hyksos, but soon the Egyptians regained control of their country again.regained control of their country again.

Some Important Art Pieces from the Middle Kingdom

1) Cartouche: An oval or oblong figure in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics that encloses characters expressing the names or epithets of royal or divine personages.

2) The Rosetta Stone: is an Ancient Egyptian artifact which was instrumental in advancing modern understanding of hieroglyphic writing.

Middle Kingdom Statues/Sculptures

1) Expression was very important for example, skill and sensitivity were used during this period.

2) The sculpture of King Sesostris III is a great example of this style.a) This particular sculpture captures the pharaoh as having concern and resignation on his face and NOT authority or strength.b) “The firmly set mouth and “worry” lines above the eyes convey a look that is troubled and weary.”

Relief Sculptures This is another form of art where sculptures are carved directly

into the wall or a flat type of surface (usually stone, metal or wood).

A great example of this is the Relief sculpture:

Methethy with His Daughter (pg. 159, Figure 7.12)

1) What can you tell me that’s unusual about this Relief Sculpture?

Relief Sculptures Methethy with His Daughter (pg. 159, Figure 7.12)

2) Why do you think the figures in this particular piece and others are positioned in such specific manner?

Why do you think the figures in this particular piece and others are positioned in such specific manner?

Remember what was mentioned about the structure of statues in the Old Kingdom, the same rules apply with paintings and Relief Sculptures:

“The Egyptians were greatly concerned about life after death. Paintings, Sculptures and Relief Sculptures of the dead were meant to serve as SUBSTITUES for the body. When artists created images of the Pharaoh, they wanted to make sure ALL the parts of the body were clearly shown.” Pg. 159

WHY??

Paintings

1) During this period, it became difficult and too expensive to carve relief sculptures into or on the rough, hard walls of the cliff tombs.

2) Another reason for the use of wall paintings was because in the past, at one point, it was customary for pharaoh's to have his wife, servants and slaves buried with him, so when he arrived in the afterlife he would have all of his family, etc with him. In time, this practice was done away with.

3) As a replacement to both of these, paintings became important and a form of its own.

PaintingsPROCESS

a) First the walls of the cliffs are smoothed out and then covered with plaster.

b) Once the plaster was dry, the artist(s) could begin working on the painting.

c) The artist(s) would draw a series of horizontal lines and within these lines, they would use and carefully place animal and figure images to tell a story which was about the deceased whom was in the tomb.

d) The image was then painted in with rich reds and yellows with blackblack and blue/green used for contrast.

e) The images always looked flat with NO dimension.

f) These images represent or can be compared to today’s comic strip.

Wall Paintings

The New Kingdom

1) This time period was known as the most brilliant of Egyptian history.

2) The most important pharaoh’s from this time were:a) Amenhotep III b) Amenhotep’s son- Amenhotep IVc) Queen Nefertiti d) King Tutankhamun- King

Tut

The New Kingdom

3) Amenhotep IV changed his name to Akhenaton in honor of the god Aton.

4) Alexander the Great of Macedonia conquered Egypt.

5) Egypt became famous in history for its huge pyramids, tombs, stone statues, wall paintings and carved/painted reliefs.

Akhenaton Nefertiti King Tutankhamun

New Kingdom Sculptures1) Sculptures were commissioned to complete a

variety of works.2) These works ranged from large tomb sculptures

that were carved into rock to smaller pieces that were used to decorate temples.

3) During this time period, the statues of pharaohs were often massive, reaching heights up to 90 ft.

4) Some of these statues were painted and had eyes made from rock crystals. These features/techniques heightened their realistic appearance.

5) Sculptures during the reign of Amenhotep IV also known as Akhenaton looked much more realistic.

6) Sculptures took on a more natural, lifelike look, rather than a solemn, stiffness that was preferred by earlier pharaoh’s

7) Much of the art produced after Akenaton’s death still remained realistic with relaxing poses.

New Kingdom Tombs1) The inside of tombs during this time period took on

a new look: they contained wall paintings, some relief sculptures (but NOT many) and hieroglyphics.a) Hieroglyphics- An early form of picture writing.

2) Even though these tombs took on a new look, they still followed the strict rules of Egyptian Art.

3) Two examples of wall paintings during this time period are:

a) Nakht and His Wife b) False Door Stela

Nakht and His Wife

1) This is a great example of what wall paintings looked like inside tombs during the New Kingdom.

2) This particular painting was of a priest named Nakht and his wife.

3) The painting(s) consist of Nakht and his wife surrounded by servants who are busy doing various activities etc. for the priest and his wife.

1) Notice the priest and his wife are considerably larger in size to show their importance.

2) Their poses are stiff and solemn because this is how people of high ranking were portrayed.

3) The servants poses are portrayed with more natural ones.

4) Hieroglyphics are also used in these wall paintings. They help to communicate/tell the story.

Nakht and His Wife