Ancient Egyptian Architecture

Geographical Influence

• The Nile River• Trade route• Communication• Fertilizer

Geological Influence

• North-limestone• Central-sandstone• South-Granite (Syenite)• Palms• Acacia• Brick (mud)• Clay

Climatic Influence

• Generally warm• Spring and summer

Religious Influence

• Powerful priesthood• Astronomy, mathematics, philosophy• Papyrus• Monotheistic in theory, polytheistic in practice• Natural phenomena personified• Strong belief in future state

Socio-Political Influence

• Work for food (cheap labor)• Vast manpower• Centralized despotic gov’t• Annual floods• Rameses II – enforced labor

Historical Influence• “peraa” – great house• Most ancient civilization• 1.Prehistoric period- B.C. 23000(?)-4777• 2.The Ancient Empire (I-X),B.C.4777-2821, Memphis as capital

(tombs at Abydos, Nakadeh, Memphis, Sakkara, Gizeh,Abusir• 3.The Middle Empire (XI-XVI), B.C.2821-1738, “Hyksos”• 4.The New Empire (XVII-XX), B.C.1738-950, Thebes as capital

(bldgs. At Luxor, Karnak• 5. Period of Foreign Domination (XXI-XXV)B.C.950-663• 6. The Late Egyptian Period (XXVI-XXX)B.C.663-332 (Persia)• 7. The Greco-Roman Period B.C.332-A.D.640 (ATG & Ptolemaic,

Roman, Byzantine• 8. Medieval Egypt (Mahometan) A.D.640-1517• 9. Modern Egypt (Turkish) A.D.1517 to present time

Architectural CharacterPlanning-axial-courts & halls for internal effect

Architectural CharacterWalls-sloped inwards to the top (simplicity, solidity, grandeur)-granite for important bldgs, brick faced w/ granite for lesser bldgs-Massive blank walls crowned with cornice, hollow and roll moulding

Architectural CharacterOpenings-colonnades & doorways spanned by massive lintels-trabeated-clerestories

Architectural CharacterRoofs-flat-religious bldgs-stone slabs-residence-repose-temples-procession

Architectural CharacterColumns-ave. height=6D-painted & carved in low relief3 shaft types:-circular-clustered-fluted (proto-doric)

Architectural CharacterPlant Style ColumnsFluted Column-bundled reeds/stems in resemblance

Architectural CharacterPlant Style ColumnsPalmiform Column-palm-like in resemblance (temples)

Architectural CharacterPlant Style ColumnsLotiform Column-Lotus bud/flower-non-secular bldgs/temples-ribbed shaft

Architectural CharacterPlant Style ColumnsPapyriform Column-circular shaft (single plant)-ribbed shafts(plants w/ multiple stems)-closed/bellshaped

Architectural CharacterPlant Style ColumnsConiform Column-threaded shaft & column(cones per tree branch)

Architectural CharacterPlant Style ColumnsTent Pole Column-from wooden poles(military, religious,residential)

Architectural CharacterPlant Style ColumnsCampaniform Column-flower-shaped capitals-circular/ribbed/square shaftsPlacements:Northern/Lower - (Papyrus) & Southern/Upper (Lotus) hall sidesComposite Columns-variations/combinations

Architectural CharacterNon-Plant Style ColumnsHathoric Column-simple round shaft-hathor head capital-engaged column forms

Architectural CharacterMouldings-Torus (roll)-cobra cresting (capping)

Architectural CharacterOrnaments-color usage (primaries)-hieroglyphs