X 002 Egyptian Architecture

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Ancient Egyptian architec

Ceiling decoration in the periarchitectureMain article: Ancient Egyptia

In Ancient Egypt and other eawith many aspects of daily lifsupernatural and the way itseasons, days and nights. Har deities. Thus, the founding anpalace or temple) were oftenconstruction was accompaniedivine benediction.

Ancient architecture is characCities would mark a containetemple or palace continued tpriest or king, was not the soltradition.

Ancient Egyptian architectur influential civilizations througstructures and great architecfamous of which are the Grea

Characteristics

Due to the scarcity of wood,[1 were sun-baked mud brick anconsiderable quantities.[2] Frotombs and temples, while britemple precincts and towns,the pyramids came from stoneroded away, that was used tand had to be quarried, ferrie

pulled into place on the pyra

ture

tyle hall ofMedinet Habu, an example of an

architecture

rly societies, people believed in the omnipo were carried out with respect to the idea o

as manifest in the mortal cycles of generativests for example were seen as the benevold ordering of the city and her most importaexecuted by priests or even the ruler himseld by rituals intended to enter human activit

terized by this tension between the divine asacred space over the wilderness ofnature is order by acting as a house for the gods. T

e important figure; he was merely part of a

is the architecture ofancient Egypt, one ofhout history, which developed a vast array oural monuments along the Nile, among the lt Pyramid of Giza and the Great Sphinx of Gi

] the two predominant building materials usd stone, mainly limestone, but also sandstom the Old Kingdom onward, stone was gen

cks were used even for royal palaces, fortresnd for subsidiary buildings in temple compl

e quarried in the area already while the limeo face the pyramids came from the other sidd across, and cut during the dry season befo

id.[3]

1

cient Egyptian

ence of Gods, f the divine or

ns, years, nce offertility

t buildings (the f and the

into continued

nd mortal world. outside, and the

he architect, be he ontinuing

the most f diverse argest and most

za.

ed in ancient Egypt e and granite in

rally reserved for ses, the walls of

xes. The core of stone, now

e of the Nile River re they could be


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Drawings of the types of the arc

Ancient Egyptian houses wer

in molds and left to dry in the

Many Egyptian towns have diof the Nile Valley and were flmud bricks of which they werinaccessible, new buildings hclimate of Egypt preserved soMadinah, the Middle KingdoAlso, many temples and tombunaffected by the Nile flood

Thus, our understanding of amonuments,[6] massive structpossibly echoing a method ofmanner, the incised and flatlderived from mud wall ornathe fourth dynasty, all monuroofs constructed of huge stospaced columns.

Exterior and interior walls, asand pictorial frescoes and car

hitectural capitals specific for the Ancient Egypti

made out of mud collected from the Nile ri

hot sun to harden for use in construction.

sappeared because they were situated nearoded as the river bed slowly rose during th

e built were used by peasants as fertilizer. Oving been erected on ancient ones. Fortuname mud brick structures. Examples include t

town at Kahun,[4] and the fortresses at Buh s have survived because they were built on

nd were constructed of stone.

cient Egyptian architecture is based mainlyures characterized by thick, sloping walls wiconstruction used to obtain stability in mudmodeled surface adornment of the stone bentation. Although the use of the arch wasental buildings are post and lintel construct

ne blocks supported by the external walls an

well as the columns and piers, were coverevings painted in brilliant colors.[7] Many moti

2

an civilization.

er. It was placed

the cultivated area millennia, or the

thers are tely, the dry, hot

he village Deir al- en[5] and Mirgissa.

high ground

on religious h few openings,

walls. In a similar ildings may have

eveloped during ions, with flat

d the closely

with hieroglyphic ifs of Egyptian


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ornamentation are symbolic,vulture. Other common motiflowers of the lotus.[8] Hierogl record historic events or spellunderstand how the Ancient

beliefs. This was especially trrecent years.

Ancient Egyptian temples wesolstices and equinoxes, requevent. Measurements at theundertaken by the Pharaoh h

The Giza pyramid complex

The Giza Necropolis stands ocomplex of ancient monumefrom the old town ofGiza oncenter. This Ancient Egyptian Great Pyramidand the PyramKephren/Chefren), and the reMykerinus/Mycerinus), alongpyramids, and the Great Sphi

The Pyramids of Giza

The pyramids, which were bureligion and state. They weretheir names last forever.[11] Tdesign and engineering on a lcompleted c. 2580 BC, is themonument of the Seven Won

believed to have been complambitiously placed his pyrami

such as the scarab, or sacred beetle, the sols include palm leaves, the papyrus plant, anlyphs were inscribed for decorative purposes. In addition, these pictorial frescoes and cEgyptians lived, statuses, wars that were fou

e when exploring the tombs of Ancient Egy

e aligned with astronomically significant eviring precise measurements at the moment

ost significant temples may have been cer imself.[9]

the Giza Plateau, on the outskirts ofCairo,ts is located some 8 kilometres (5 mi) inlandthe Nile, some 20 kilometers (12 mi) southwnecropolis consists of the Pyramid of Khufu id of Cheops), the somewhat smaller Pyramilatively modest-sized Pyramid of Menkaure

with a number of smaller satellite edifices,nx.[10]

ilt in the Fourth Dynasty, testify to the powebuilt to serve both as grave sites and also ase size and simple design show the high skill

arge scale.[12] The Great Pyramid of Giza, whldest and largest of the pyramids, and is the

ders of the Ancient World.[13] The pyramid o

ted around 2532 BC, at the end of Khafre'sid next to his fathers. It is not as tall as his fa

3

r disk, and the the buds and as well as to

rvings allow us to ght and their

tian officials in

nts, such as f the particular

monially

Egypt. This into the desert

est of Cairo city (also known as the

d of Khafre (or (or

nown as "queens"

r of the pharaonic a way to make

level of Egyptian ich was probably

only surviving f Khafre is

eign.[14]

Khafre her's pyramid but


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he was able to give it the impression of appearing taller by building it on a site with afoundation 33 feet higher than his father's.[15] Along with building his pyramid, Chefrencommissioned the building of the giant Sphinx as guardian over his tomb. The face of ahuman, possibly a depiction of the pharaoh, on a lion's body was seen as a symbol ofdivinity among the Greeks fifteen hundred years later. [16] The Great Sphinx is carved out of

huge blocks of sandstone and stands about sixty-five feet tall.[17] Menkaure's pyramid datesto circa 2490 BC and stands 213 feet high making it the smallest of the Great Pyramids.[18]

Popular culture leads people to believe that Pyramids are highly confusing, with manytunnels within the pyramid to create confusion for grave robbers. This is not true. The shaftsof pyramids are quite simple, mostly leading directly to the tomb. The immense size of thepyramids attracted robbers to the wealth that lay inside which caused the tombs to berobbed relatively soon after the tomb was sealed in some cases.[19] However, there aresometimes additional tunnels, but these were used for the builders to understand how farthey could dig the tomb into the crust of the Earth. Also, it is popular thought that due to

grave robbers, future Kings were buried in the Valley of the Kings to help keep them hidden.This is also false, as the Pyramid construction continued for many Dynasties, just on asmaller scale. Finally, the pyramid construction was stopped due to economic factors, nottheft.

It is widely believed that the pyramids were able to be constructed due to slave labor. Somescholars believe that they were essentially built by farmers during the off season.[20] Eitherway, the pyramids represent a lifestyle of the nobles that could not exist without thepresence of slave labor.[21]

Giza Necropolis

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Jump to: navigation, search

The Giza Necropolis (Arabic: , IPA: [hmt eliz], "pyramids of Giza") is anarchaeological site on the Giza Plateau, on the outskirts ofCairo, Egypt. This complex of ancient

monuments includes the three pyramid complexes known as the Great Pyramids, the massive

sculpture known as the Great Sphinx, several cemeteries, a workers' village and an industrialcomplex. It is located some 9 km (5 mi) inland into the desert from the old town ofGiza on the Nile,

some 25 km (15 mi) southwest of Cairo city centre. The pyramids, which have historically loomed

large as emblems ofancient Egypt in the Western imagination,[1][2] were popularised in Hellenistic

times, when the Great Pyramid was listed by Antipater of Sidon as one of the Seven Wonders of the

World. It is by far the oldest of the ancient Wonders and the only


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UNESCO World Heritage Site

Memphis and its Necropolis the

Pyramid Fields from Giza to Dahshur

Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List

Country Egypt

Type Cultural

Criteria i, iii, vi

Reference 86

UNESCO region Arab States

Inscription history

Inscription 1979 (3rd Session)

The Giza Necropolis (Arabic: , IPA: [hmt eliz], "pyramids of Giza") isan archaeological site on the Giza Plateau, on the outskirts ofCairo, Egypt. This complex ofancient monuments includes the three pyramid complexes known as the Great Pyramids,the massive sculpture known as the Great Sphinx, several cemeteries, a workers' village andan industrial complex. It is located some 9 km (5 mi) inland into the desert from the old

town ofGiza on the Nile, some 25 km (15 mi) southwest of Cairo city centre. The pyramids,which have historically loomed large as emblems ofancient Egypt in the Western


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imagination,[1][2] were populaby Antipater of Sidon as oneancient Wonders and the onl

The Pyramids and the Sphi

Aerial view from north of cultiva

The Great Sphinx partially excav

The Pyramids of Giza consistthe Pyramid of Cheops orKhu few hundred meters to the sMenkaure (or Mykerinos) a f

on the east side of the complthe Great Sphinx is that ofKh smaller satellite edifices, kno

Khufus pyramid complex

Main article: Great Pyramid of G

Khufus pyramid complex conNazlet el-Samman; basalt pav

site has not been excavated.[ largely destroyed when the vi

rised in Hellenistic times, when the Great Pyf the Seven Wonders of the World. It is by f

nx

ted Nile valley with the pyramids in the backgro

ated, photo taken between 1867 and 1899

f the Great Pyramid of Giza (known as the fu), the somewhat smaller Pyramid of Khafr uth-west, and the relatively modest-sized Pw hundred meters further south-west. The

x. Current consensus among Egyptologists iafre. Along with these major monuments ar

n as "queens" pyramids, causeways and val

iza

sists of a Valley Temple, now buried beneating and nummulitic limestone walls have be][5] The Valley Temple was connected to a callage was constructed. The Causeway led to

6

ramid was listed ar the oldest of the

und

reat Pyramidand (or Chephren) a

ramid of Great Sphinx lies

s that the head of a number of

lley pyramids.[3]

the village of en found but the

useway which was the Mortuary


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Temple of Khufu. From this temple only the basalt pavement remains. The mortuary templewas connected to the kings pyramid. The kings pyramid has three smaller queenspyramids associated with it and five boat pits.[6] The boat pits contain a ship, and the twopits on the south side of the pyramid still contained intact ships. One of these ships hasbeen restored and is on display. Khufu's Pyramid maintains a limited collection of casing

stones at its base. These casing stones were made of fine white limestone quarried from thenearby range.[3]

Khafres pyramid complex

Main articles: Pyramid of Khafre and Great Sphinx of Giza

Khafres pyramid complex consists of a Valley temple (sometimes referred to as the Sphinxtemple), a causeway, a mortuary temple and the kings pyramid. The Valley Temple yieldedseveral statues of Khafre. Several were found in a well in the floor of the temple by Mariette

in 1860. Others were found during successive excavations by Sieglin (190910), Junker,Reisner, and Hassan. Khafres complex contained five boat-pits and a subsidiary pyramidwith a serdab.[6] Khafre's Pyramid appears larger than the adjacent Khufu Pyramid by virtueof its more elevated location, and the steeper angle of inclination of its construction it is,in fact, smaller in both height and volume. Khafre's Pyramid retains a prominent display ofcasing stones at its apex.[3]

Menkaures pyramid complex

Main article: Pyramid of Menkaure

Menkaures pyramid complex consists of a Valley Temple, a causeway, a mortuary temple,and the kings pyramid. The Valley Temple contained several statues ofMenkaure. Duringthe 5th dynasty, a smaller ante-temple was added on to the Valley temple. The Mortuarytemple also yielded several statues ofMenkaure. The kings pyramid has three subsidiary orQueens pyramids.[6] Of the four major monuments, only Menkaure's Pyramid is seen todaywithout any of its original polished limestone casing.[3]

The Sphinx

Main article: Great Sphinx of Giza

The Sphinx dates to the reign of king Khafre.[7] A chapel was located between its forepawsthat had unfortunate history of being repeatedly destroyed by unusual circumstances.During the New Kingdom, Amenhotep II dedicated a new temple to Hauron-Haremakhetand this structure was added onto by later rulers.[6]

Tomb of Queen Khentkaues I

Main article: Khentkaus I


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Khentkaus I was buried in Giza. Her tomb is known as LG 100 and G 8400 and is located inthe Central Field, near the pyramid ofMenkaure. The pyramid complex of Queen Khentkausincludes: her pyramid, a boat pit, a Valley Temple and a pyramid town.[6][8]

Construction

Main article: Egyptian pyramid construction techniques

Most construction theories are based on the idea that the pyramids were built by movinghuge stones from a quarry and dragging and lifting them into place. The disagreementscenter on the method by which the stones were conveyed and placed and how possible themethod was. A recent though unpopular theory proposes that the building blocks weremanufactured in-place from a kind of "limestone concrete".[9]

In building the pyramids, the architects might have developed their techniques over time.They would select a site on a relatively flat area of bedrocknot sandwhich provided a

stable foundation. After carefully surveying the site and laying down the first level of stones,they constructed the pyramids in horizontal levels, one on top of the other.

For the Great Pyramid of Giza, most of the stone for the interior seems to have beenquarried immediately to the south of the construction site. The smooth exterior of thepyramid was made of a fine grade of white limestone that was quarried across the Nile.These exterior blocks had to be carefully cut, transported by river barge to Giza, anddragged up ramps to the construction site. Only a few exterior blocks remain in place at thebottom of the Great Pyramid. During the Middle Ages (5th century to 15th century), peoplemay have taken the rest away for building projects in the city of Cairo.[3]

To ensure that the pyramid remained symmetrical, the exterior casing stones all had to beequal in height and width. Workers might have marked all the blocks to indicate the angle ofthe pyramid wall and trimmed the surfaces carefully so that the blocks fit together. Duringconstruction, the outer surface of the stone was smooth limestone; excess stone has erodedas time has passed.[3]

Purpose

The Pyramids of Giza and others are thought to have been constructed to house the remains

of the deceased Pharaohs who ruled over Ancient Egypt.[3]

A portion of the Pharaoh's spiritcalled his ka was believed to remain with his corpse. Proper care of the remains wasnecessary in order for the "former Pharaoh to perform his new duties as king of the dead."It's theorized the pyramid not only served as a tomb for the Pharaoh but also as storage forthe various items he would need in the afterlife. "The people of Ancient Egypt believed thatdeath on Earth was the start of a journey to the next world. The embalmed body of the Kingwas entombed underneath or within the pyramid to protect it and allow his transformationand ascension to the afterlife."[10]


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Workers' village

The work of quarrying, moving, setting, and sculpting the huge amount of stone used tobuild the pyramids might have been accomplished by several thousand skilled workers,unskilled laborers and supporting workers. Bakers, carpenters, water carriers, and otherswere also needed for the project. Along with the methods utilized to construct thepyramids, there is also wide speculation regarding the exact number of workers needed fora building project of this magnitude. When Greek historian Herodotus visited Giza in 450 BC,he was told by Egyptian priests that "the Great Pyramid had taken 400,000 men 20 years tobuild, working in three-month shifts 100,000 men at a time." Evidence from the tombsindicates that a workforce of 10,000 laborers working in three-month shifts took around 30years to build a pyramid.[3]

The Giza pyramid complex is surrounded by a large stone wall, outside which Mark Lehnerand his team have discovered a town where the workers on the pyramids were housed. This

town is located to the southeast of the Khafre and Menkaure complexes. Among thediscoveries at the workers' village are communal sleeping quarters, bakeries, breweries andkitchens (with evidence showing that bread, beef and fish were staples of the diet), ahospital and a cemetery (where some of the skeletons were found with signs of traumaassociated with accidents on a building site).[11] The workers' town discovered appears todate to the middle 4th dynasty (25202472 BC), after the accepted time of Khufu andcompletion of the Great Pyramid. According to Mark Lehner and the AERA team;

"The development of this urban complex must have been quite rapid. All of the construction

probably happened in the 35 to 50 years that spanned the reigns ofKhafre and Menkaure,

builders of the Second and Third Giza Pyramids".

Without carbon dating, using only pottery shards, seal impressions, and stratigraphy to datethe site, the team further concludes;

"The picture that emerges is that of a planned settlement, some of the world's earliest urban

planning, securely dated to the reigns of two Giza pyramid builders: Khafre (25202494 BC)

and Menkaure (24902472 BC)".[12][13]


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Cemeteries

Giza pyramid complex (map)

Giza pyramid complex seen fro

As the pyramids were construthem. Near the pyramid of Khlocated to the east of the maicemeteries around the pyram7000 was one of the earliestdynasty rulers. On the otherWepemnofret and Hemiunu respectively. These cemeteri

West Field

Main article: Giza West Field

above

cted, the mastabas for lesser royals were coufu, the main cemetery is G 7000 which liesn pyramid and next to the Queens pyramidids were arranged along streets and avenuend contained tombs of wives, sons and dauide of the pyramid in the West Field, the roere buried in Cemetery G 1200 and Cemet

s were further expanded during the 5th and

10

nstructed around in the East Field

. These s.[14] Cemetery G

hters of these 4th als sons

ry G 4000 6th dynasty.[6]


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The West Field is located to the west ofKhufus pyramid. It is divided into smaller areas suchas the cemeteries referred to as the Abu Bakr Excavations (1949-50, 1950-1,1952 and 1953),and several cemeteries named based on the mastaba numbers such as Cemetery G 1000,Cemetery G 1100, etc. The West Field contains Cemetery G1000 Cemetery G1600, andCemetery G 1900. Further cemeteries in this field are: Cemeteries G 2000, G 2200, G 2500,

G 3000, G 4000, and G 6000. Three other cemeteries are named after their excavators:Junker Cemetery West, Junker Cemetery East and Steindorff Cemetery. [6]

Cemeteries in the West Field at Giza [6]

Cemetery Time Period Excavation Comments

Abu Bakr

Excavations

the 5th and 6th

dynasty(194953)

Cemetery G

1000

the 5th and 6th

dynasty

Reisner (1903

05)Stone built mastabas

Cemetery G

1100

the 5th and 6th

dynasty

Reisner (1903

05)Brick built mastabas

Cemetery G

1200

Mainly 4th

dynasty

Reisner (1903

05)

Some members ofKhufus family are buried

here; Wepemnefert (Kings Son), Kaem-ah

(Kings Son), Nefertiabet (Kings Daughter)

Cemetery G

1300

the 5th and 6th

dynasty

Reisner (1903

05)Brick built mastabas

Cemetery G

1400

the 5th dynasty

or later

Reisner (1903

05)Two men who were prophets of Khufu

Cemetery G

1500Reisner (1931?) Only one mastaba (G 1601)

Cemetery G

1600

the 5th dynasty

or laterReisner (1931) Two men who were prophets of Khufu

Cemetery G

1900Reisner (1931) Only one mastabas (G 1903)

Cemetery G

2000

the 5th and 6th

dynastyReisner (190506)

Cemetery G the 4th and 5th Reisner (1931) G 2100 belongs to Merib, a Kings (grand-)Son


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includes mastabas from tenants and priests of the pyramids dated to the 5th dynasty and6th dynasty.[6]

Cemeteries G 7000 - Royalty[6]

Tomb

numberOwner Comments

G 7000 X Queen Hetepheres I Mother ofKhufu

G 7010 Nefertkau IDaughter ofSneferu, half-sister of

Khufu

G 7060 Nefermaat I Son ofNefertkau I and Vizier ofKhafra

G 7070 Sneferukhaf Son ofNefermaat II

G 7110-

7120

Kawab and

Hetepheres IIKawab was the eldest son of Khufu

G 7130-

7140

Khufukhaf I and

Nefertkau II

Kings Son and Vizier and his wife

G 7210-

7220Djedefhor Kings Son of Khufu and Meritites

G 7350 Hetepheres IIWife ofKawab and later wife of

Djedefre

G 7410-

7420

Meresankh II and

Horbaef

Meresankh was a kings daughter and

kings wife

G 7430-

7440Minkhaf I Son of Khufu and Vizier ofKhafra

G 7510 Ankhhaf Son ofSneferu and Vizier ofKhafra

G 7530-

7540Meresankh III

Daughter ofKawab and Hetepheres II,

wife ofKhafra


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G 7550 DuaenhorProbably son ofKawab and thus a

grand-son of Khufu

G 7560

Akhethotep and

Meritites II Meritites is a daughter of Khufu

G 7660 KaemsekhemSon of Kawab, a grandson of Khufu,

served as Director of the Palace

G7760 MindjedefSon of Kawab, a grandson of Khufu,

served as Treasurer

G 7810 Djaty Son of Queen Meresankh II

Cemetery GIS

Main article: Cemetery GIS

This cemetery was dated to the time ofMenkaure (Junker) or earlier (Reisner), but containsseveral stone-built mastabas dating to as late as the 6th dynasty. Tombs from the time ofMenkaure include the mastabas of the royal chamberlain Khaemnefert, the Kings son

Khufudjedef who was master of the royal largesse, and an official named Niankhre.

[6]

Central Field

Main article: Central Field, Giza

The Central Field contains several burials of royal family members. The tombs range in datefrom the end of the 4th dynasty| to the 5th dynasty or even later.[6]

Central Field - Royalty[6]

Tomb

numberOwner Comments

G 8172

(LG 86)Nebemakhet Son ofKhafre, served as Vizier

G 8158

(LG 87)Nikaure

Son ofKhafre and Persenet, served as

Vizier


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G 8156

(LG 88)Persenet Wife ofKhafre

G 8154

(LG 89) Sekhemkare Son ofKhafre and Hekenuhedjet

G 8140 Niuserre Son of Khafre, Vizier in the 5th dynasty

G 8130 Niankhre Kings Son, probably 5th dynasty

G 8080

(LG 92)Iunmin Kings Son, end of 4th dynasty

G 8260 Babaef Son of Khafre, end of 4th dynasty

G 8466 Iunre Son ofKhafre, end of 4th dynasty

G 8464 HemetreProbably daughter ofKhafre, end of 4th

dynasty or 5th dynasty

G 8460 Ankhmare Kings son and Vizier, end of 4th dynasty

G 8530 RekhetreKings daughter (ofKhafre) and Queen, end

of 4th dynasty or 5th dynasty

G 8408 BuneferKings daughter and Queen, end of 4th

dynasty or 5th dynasty

G 8978Khamerernebty

I

Kings daughter and Queen, middle to end

of 4th dynasty. Also known as the Galarza

Tomb

Tombs dating to the Saite and later period were found near the causeway ofKhafre and theGreat Sphinx. These tombs include the tomb of a commander of the army named Ahmoseand his mother Queen Nakhtubasterau, who was the wife ofPharaoh Amasis II.[6]

South Field

The South Field includes some mastabas dating to the 2nd dynasty and 3rd dynasty. One ofthese early dynastic tombs is referred to as the Covington tomb. Other tombs date to the


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late Old Kingdom (5th and 6th dynasty). The south section of the field contains severaltombs dating to the Saite period and later.[6]

Tombs of the pyramid builders

In 1990, tombs belonging to the pyramid workers were discovered alongside the pyramidswith an additional burial site found nearby in 2009. Although not mummified, they had beenburied in mud-brick tombs with beer and bread to support them in the afterlife. The tombs'proximity to the pyramids and the manner of burial supports the theory that they were paidlaborers who took great pride in their work and were not slaves, as was previously thought.The commonly held belief of slaves building the pyramids was likely to have beenpopularized by Hollywood films based on the original archaeological and athropologicalopinion that they could not have been built without forced labor. Evidence from the tombsindicates that a workforce of 10,000 laborers working in three-month shifts took around 30years to build a pyramid. Most of the workers appear to have come from poor families.

Farms supplied the laborers with 21 cattle and 23 sheep daily. Specialists such as architects,masons, metalworkers and carpenters, were permanently employed by the king to fillpositions that required the most skill.[15][16][17][18][19]

New Kingdom

During the New Kingdom, Giza was still an active site. A brick-built chapel was erected nearthe Sphinx during the early 18th dynasty, probably by king Thutmose I. Amenhotep II built atemple dedicated to Hauron-Haremakhet near the Sphinx. Pharaoh Thutmose IV visited thepyramids and the Sphinx as a prince and in a dream was told that clearing the sand from the

Sphinx would be rewarded with kingship. This event is recorded in the Dream stela. Duringthe early years of his reign, Thutmose IV together with his wife Queen Nefertari had stelaeerected at Giza. Pharaoh Tutankhamun had a structure built which is now referred to as theking's resthouse. During the 19th dynasty, Seti I added to the temple of Hauron-Haremakhet, and his son Ramesses II erected a stela in the chapel before the Sphinx andusurped the resthouse ofTutankhamun.[6]

Late Period

During the 21st dynasty, the Temple of Isis Mistress-of-the-Pyramids was reconstructed.

During the 26th dynasty, a stela made in this time mentions Khufu and his QueenHenutsen.[6]

Astronomy


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The Giza pyramid complex at ni

The sides of all three of the G

and east-west within a smalla clearly deliberate pattern aPickering, and J. Belmonte. Tthe Orion constellation in the

Karnak

The temple complex of Karna

(1.5 mi) north ofLuxor. It conof Montu, the Precinct of Mu few smaller temples and sancparts, and several avenues ofPrecinct of Amon-Re and Lux

The hypostyle hall of Karnak

The key difference betweenlength of time over which itcentury BC. Approximately 30size, complexity and diversityare unique, but the size and n

ht

iza pyramids were astronomically oriented t

raction of a degree. Among recent attemptse those of S. Haack, O. Neugebauer, K. Spen e arrangement of the pyramids is a disputeOrion Correlation Theory.

k is located on the banks of the River Nile so

sists of four main parts, the Precinct of Amo t and the Temple of Amenhotep IV (dismantltuaries located outside the enclosing walls oram-headed sphinxes connecting the Precinr Temple.

emple

arnak and most of the other temples and sitas developed and used. Construction workpharaohs contributed to the buildings, enanot seen elsewhere. Few of the individual fumber of features is overwhelming.

17

o the north-south

[20] to explain such ce, D. Rawlins, K.

representation of

me 2.5 kilometers

n-Re, the Precinct led), as well as a

f the four main ct of Mut, the

es in Egypt is the egan in the 16th

ling it to reach a atures of Karnak


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This article is about the Karnak t

For the Johnny Carson characte

(disambiguation).

Coordinates: 25.71874N 3

Karn

amun

Pillars of the Great Hypostyle Hal

Re

Karn

Location in Egypt

Coordinates: 254

Country Eg

Governorate Luxor

emple complex in Egypt. For the Neolithic menh

, see Carnac the Magnificent. For other uses, se

2.6574E

ak

re

ll from the Precinct of Amun-

k

along the Nile

37N 323927E

ypt

overnorate

18

ir site, see Carnac.

Karnak


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19

Time zone EST (UTC+2)

The Karnak Temple Complexusually called Karnak (pron.: /kr.nk/[1])comprises a vastmix of decayed temples, chapels, pylons, and other buildings. Building at the complex began

in the reign of Sesostris I in the Middle Kingdom and continued into the Ptolemaic period,although most of the extant buildings date from the New Kingdom. The area around Karnakwas the ancient Egyptian Ipet-isut("The Most Selected of Places") and the main place ofworship of the eighteenth dynasty Theban Triad with the god Amun as its head. It is part ofthe monumental city ofThebes. The Karnak complex gives its name to the nearby, andpartly surrounded, modern village of el-Karnak, some 2.5 km north of Luxor.

Contents

1 Overview 2 History

o 2.1 European knowledge of Karnak 3 Main parts

o 3.1 Precinct of Amun-Reo 3.2 Precinct of Muto 3.3 Precinct of Montuo 3.4 Temple of Amenhotep IV (deliberately dismantled)

4 In popular culture 5 Gallery 6 See also

7 References 8 External links

Overview

The complex is a vast open-air museum and the largest ancient religious site in the world. Itis believed to be the second most visited historical site in Egypt; second only to the GizaPyramids near Cairo. It consists of four main parts of which only the largest is currently opento the general public. The term Karnak often is understood as being the Precinct of Amun-Re

only, because this is the only part most visitors normally see. The three other parts, thePrecinct of Mut, the Precinct of Montu, and the dismantled Temple of Amenhotep IV, areclosed to the public. There also are a few smaller temples and sanctuaries connecting thePrecinct of Mut, the Precinct of Amun-Re, and the Luxor Temple.

The Precinct of Mut is very ancient, being dedicated to an Earth and creation deity, but notyet restored. The original temple was destroyed and partially restored by Hatshepsut,although another pharaoh built around it in order to change the focus or orientation of thesacred area. Many portions of it may have been carried away for use in other buildings.

The key difference between Karnak and most of the other temples and sites in Egypt is thelength of time over which it was developed and used. Construction of temples started in the


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Middle Kingdom and continued through to Ptolemaic times. Approximately thirty pharaohscontributed to the buildings, enabling it to reach a size, complexity, and diversity not seenelsewhere. Few of the individual features of Karnak are unique, but the size and number offeatures are overwhelming. The deities represented range from some of the earliestworshiped to those worshiped much later in the history of the Ancient Egyptian culture.

Although destroyed, it also contained an early temple built by Amenhotep IV (Akhenaten),the pharaoh who later would celebrate a near monotheistic religion he established thatprompted him to move his court and religious center away from Thebes. It also containsevidence of adaptations, using buildings of the Ancient Egyptians by later cultures for theirown religious purposes.

One famous aspect of Karnak, is the Hypostyle Hall in the Precinct of Amun-Re, a hall area of50,000 sq ft (5,000 m2) with 134 massive columns arranged in 16 rows. 122 of thesecolumns are 10 meters tall, and the other 12 are 21 meters tall with a diameter of overthree meters.

The architraves on top of these columns are estimated to weigh 70 tons. These architravesmay have been lifted to these heights using levers. This would be an extremely time-consuming process and also would require great balance to get to such great heights. Acommon alternative theory about how they were moved is that there were large rampsmade of sand mud brick or stone and the stones were towed up the ramps. If they usedstone for the ramps they would have been able to build the ramps with much less material.The top of the ramps presumably would have either wooden tracks or cobblestones fortowing the megaliths.

There is an unfinished pillar in an out of the way location that indicated how it would havebeen finished. Final carving was executed after the drums were put in place so that it wasnot damaged while being placed.[2][3] Several experiments moving megaliths with ancienttechnology were made at other locations some of them are listed here.

In 2009 UCLA launched a website dedicated to virtual reality digital reconstructions of theKarnak complex and other resources.[4]

History

Main article: History of the Karnak Temple complex

The history of the Karnak complex is largely the history ofThebes and its changing role inthe culture. Religious centers varied by region and with the establishment of the currentcapital of the unified culture that changed several times. The city of Thebes does not appearto have been of great significance before the Eleventh Dynasty and previous temple buildinghere would have been relatively small, with shrines being dedicated to the early deities ofThebes, the Earth goddess Mut and Montu. Early building was destroyed by invaders. Theearliest known artifact found in the area of the temple is a small, eight-sided temple fromthe Eleventh Dynasty, which mentions Amun-Re. Amun (sometimes called Amen) was longthe local tutelary deity of Thebes. He was identified with the Ram and the Goose. The

Egyptian meaning of Amen is, "hidden" or, the "hidden god".

[5]


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Major construction work in the Precinct of Amun-Re took place during the Eighteenthdynasty when Thebes became the capital of the unified Ancient Egypt.

Thutmose I erected an enclosure wall connecting the Fourth and Fifth pylons, whichcomprise the earliest part of the temple still standing in situ. Construction of the Hypostyle

Hall also may have begun during the eighteenth dynasty, although most new building wasundertaken under Seti I and Ramesses II.

Almost every pharaoh of that dynasty has added something to the temple site. Merneptahcommemorated his victories over the Sea Peoples on the walls of the Cachette Court, thestart of the processional route to the Luxor Temple.

Hatshepsut had monuments constructed and also restored the original Precinct of Mut, theancient great goddess of Egypt, that had been ravaged by the foreign rulers during theHyksos occupation. She had twin obelisks, at the time the tallest in the world, erected at the

entrance to the temple. One still stands, as the tallest surviving ancient obelisk on Earth; theother has broken in two and toppled. Another of her projects at the site, Karnak's RedChapel, or Chapelle Rouge, was intended as a barque shrine and originally, may have stoodbetween her two obelisks. She later ordered the construction of two more obelisks tocelebrate her sixteenth year as pharaoh; one of the obelisks broke during construction, andthus, a third was constructed to replace it. The broken obelisk was left at its quarrying site inAswan, where it still remains. Known as The Unfinished Obelisk, it demonstrates howobelisks were quarried.[6]

The last major change to Precinct of Amun-Re's layout was the addition of the first pylon

and the massive enclosure walls that surround the whole Precinct, both constructed byNectanebo I.

In 323 AD, Constantine the Great recognised the Christian religion, and in 356 Constantius IIordered the closing ofpagan temples throughout the empire. Karnak was by this timemostly abandoned, and Christian churches were founded among the ruins, the most famousexample of this is the reuse of the Festival Hall of Thutmose III's central hall, where painteddecorations of saints and Coptic inscriptions can still be seen.

European knowledge of Karnak

Thebes' exact placement was unknown in medieval Europe, though both Herodotus andStrabo give the exact location of Thebes and how long up the Nile one must travel to reachit. Maps of Egypt, based on the 2nd century Claudius Ptolemaeus' mammoth workGeographia, have been circling in Europe since the late 14th century, all of them showingThebes' (Diospolis) location. Despite this, several European authors of the 15th and 16thcentury who visited only Lower Egypt and published their travel accounts, such as Joos vanGhistele or Andr Thvet, put Thebes in or close to Memphis.


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Photograph of the temple comp

The Karnak temple complex iaccount relates no name for t

Centrale di Firenze, is the firswriters, about a whole rangeLuxor temple, Colossi of Mem

Karnak ("Carnac") as a villagewhen two capuchin missionathough the area. Protais' writ(Relations de divers voyages c Present State of Egypt, 1678).

The first drawing of Karnak ispaul Lucas au Levant). It is ratLucas travelled in Egypt durinAmun-Re and the Precinct ofPtolemaic gateways ofPtolelong, 43 m high and 15 m thic

Karnak was visited and descriPierre Laurent Pincia (1718 a38), Richard Pococke (1738),

Manoncourt (1777), Williamof the Napoleon expedition, i Savary describes the complexa fictional account of a pretefrom other travellers. Savarythat too.

lex taken in 1914 - Cornell University Library

first described by an unknown Venetian inhe complex. This account, housed in the Bib

known European mention, since ancient Grof monuments in Upper Egypt and Nubia, innon, Esna, Edfu, Kom Ombo, Philae, and oth

name, and name of the complex, is first attey brothers Protais and Charles Franois d'Oring about their travel was published by Melcurieux, 1670s1696 editions) and Johann Mi

found in Paul Lucas' travel account of 1704,her inaccurate, and can be quite confusing tg 16991703. The drawing shows a mixtureMontu, based on a complex confined by they III Euergetes / Ptolemy IV Philopator, and

k, first Pylon of the Precinct of Amun-Re.

bed in succession by Claude Sicard and his trd 172021), Granger (1731), Frederick Louiames Bruce (1769), Charles-Nicolas-Sigisber

eorge Browne (179293), and finally by a nncluding Vivant Denon, during 17981799. C rather detailed in his work of 1785; especial

ded journey to Upper Egypt, composed outdid visit Lower Egypt in 177778, and publis

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589, although his lioteca Nazionale

eek and Roman cluding Karnak,

ers.

sted in 1668, lans travelled

hisdech Thvenot ichael Vansleb (The

(Voyage du Sieur o modern eyes.

of the Precinct of three huge the massive 113 m

avel companion Norden (1737

t Sonnini de

umber of scientists laude-tienne ly in light that it is

of information ed a work about


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Main parts

Precinct of Amun-Re

Main article: Precinct of Amun-

This is the largest of the precichief deity of the Theban Tria Pinedjem I which is 10.5 metcolumns, was transported froone of the largest obelisks, w

A panoramic view of the great h

A panorama of a frieze in the Pr

e

ncts of the temple complex, and is dedicated. There are several colossal statues includinrs tall. The sandstone for this temple, includm Gebel Silsila 100 miles south on the Nile riighing 328 tonnes and standing 29 meters t

ypostyle hall in the Precinct of Amun Re

ecinct of Amun Re

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to Amun-Re, the g the figure of

ing all the ver.[7] It also has

all.[8][9]


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Precinct of Mut

Main article: Precinct of Mut

Map of Karnak, showing major t

Located to the south of the n

mother goddess, Mut, who bdynasty Theban Triad. It has s

emple complexes and sacred crescent lake of M

wer Amen-Re complex, this precinct was d

came identified as the wife of Amun-Re in teveral smaller temples associated with it an

24

t

dicated to the

he eighteenth d has its own


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sacred lake, constructed in a crescent shape. This temple has been ravaged, many portionshaving been used in other structures. It is not open to the public. Six hundred black granitestatues were found in the courtyard to her temple. It may be the oldest portion of the site.

In 2006, Betsy Bryan, an archaeologist with Johns Hopkins University excavating at the

temple ofMut presented her findings about one festival that included illustrations of thepriestesses being served to excess and its adverse effects being ministered to by templeattendants.[10] Participation in the festival was great, including the priestesses and thepopulation. Historical records of tens of thousands attending the festival exist. Thesefindings were made in the temple of Mut because when Thebes rose to greater prominence,Mut absorbed the warrior goddesses, Sekhmet and Bast, as some of her aspects. First, Mutbecame Mut-Wadjet-Bast, then Mut-Sekhmet-Bast (Wadjet having merged into Bast), thenMut also assimilated Menhit, another lioness goddess, and her adopted son's wife,becoming Mut-Sekhmet-Bast-Menhit, and finally becoming Mut-Nekhbet.

Temple excavations at Luxor discovered a "porch of drunkenness" built onto the temple bythe pharaoh Hatshepsut, during the height of her twenty-year reign. In a later mythdeveloped around the annual drunken Sekhmet festival, Ra, by then the sun god of UpperEgypt, created her from a fiery eye gained from his mother, to destroy mortals whoconspired against him (Lower Egypt). In the myth, Sekhmet's blood-lust was not quelled atthe end of battle and led to her destroying almost all of humanity, so Ra had tricked her byturning the Nile as red as blood (the Nile turns red every year when filled with silt duringinundation) so that Sekhmet would drink it. The trick, however, was that the red liquid wasnot blood, but beer mixed with pomegranate juice so that it resembled blood, making her sodrunk that she gave up slaughter and became an aspect of the gentle Hathor. The complex

interweaving of deities occurred over the thousands of years of the culture.

Precinct of Montu

Main article: Precinct of Montu

This portion of the site is dedicated to the son of Mut and Amun-Re, Montu, the war-god ofthe Theban Triad. It is located to the north of the Amun-Re complex and is much smaller insize. It is not open to the public.

Temple of Amenhotep IV (deliberately dismantled)

Main article: Temple of Amenhotep IV

The temple that Akhenaten (Amenhotep IV) constructed on the site was located east of themain complex, outside the walls of the Amun-Re precinct. It was destroyed immediatelyafter the death of its builder, who had attempted to overcome the powerful priesthood whohad gained control over Egypt before his reign. It was so thoroughly demolished that its fullextent and layout is currently unknown. The priesthood of that temple regained theirpowerful position as soon as Akhenaten died, and were instrumental in destroying many

records of his existence.


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In popular culture

In Transformers: RevengMegatron, The Fallen, a

The Egyptian-themed su

fortress in Antarctica cal Agatha Christie's Death

as using the temple itsel Final Fantasy Vfeatures Lara Croft visited Karna

Karnak, The Great Hypopackage.

In the movie The Mummust go to, in order to

The British symphonicSentinels of Karnak'.

The first person shooter Karnak is the name of t

Gurdjieff's Beelzebub's The first part of the mo Karnak is featured as a l

Adventures. Karnak is featured as a l Karnak is featured in th

Luxor Temple

The Luxor Temple is a huge athe River Nile in the city todatemple began during the reigTutankhamun added columnhis father's cartouches and ineffort took place under RameLuxor is thus unique among tpharaohs leave their mark on

Luxor Temple, from the east

The temple proper begins wit

The pylon was decorated witBattle of Qadesh); later phara

e of the Fallen the final battle between Optimusnd Starscream takes place in the hypostyle hall aperhero Ozymandias from the graphic novel Wa

lled Karnak. on the Nile takes place mainly on the steamship

lf in one of its scenes. a kingdom called Karnak, where the Fire Crystal

for three levels in Tomb Raider: The Last Revela style Hall and Sacred Lake) and it was featured i

y Returns, Karnak is one of the places Rick O'Coltimately reach the Scorpion King.

etal band Bal-Sagoth have a song called 'Unfett

PowerSlave is set in and around Karnak. e spaceship in which Beelzebub travels the univ

ales To His Grandson. ernist long poem, Trilogy, by H.D. is dedicated, "

ocation for exploration in the PC game The Sims

ocation in the PC game Serious Sam. James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me.

cient Egyptian temple complex located on tknown as Luxor (ancient Thebes). ConstrucofAmenhotep III in the 14th century BC. H

, statues, and friezes and Akhenaten hadstalled a shrine to the Aten but the only msses II some 100 years after the first stonese main Egyptian temple complexes in havinits architectural structure.

ank of the Nile

h the 24 metre (79 ft) high First Pylon, built

scenes of Ramesses's military triumphs (paohs, particularly those of the Nubian and Et

26

Prime versus t Karnak.

tchmen has a

S.S. Karnak as well

is housed.

tion (Temple of the level editor

nell and the others

ring the Hoary

erse in G.I.

For Karnak 1923". 3: World

he east bank of tion work on the

oremheb and arlier obliterated

ajor expansion ere put in place. g only two

by Ramesses II.

rticularly the iopian dynasties,


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also recorded their victories there. This main entrance to the temple complex was originallyflanked by six colossal statues of Ramesses four seated, and two standing but only two(both seated) have survived. Modern visitors can also see a 25 metre (82 ft) tall pink graniteobelisk: this one of a matching pair until 1835, when the other one was taken to Paris whereit now stands in the centre of the Place de la Concorde.

Through the pylon gateway leads into a peristyle courtyard, also built by Ramesses II. Thisarea, and the pylon, were built at an oblique angle to the rest of the temple, presumably toaccommodate the three pre-existing barque shrines located in the northwest corner. Afterthe peristyle courtyard comes the processional colonnade built by Amenhotep III a 100metre (328 ft) corridor lined by 14 papyrus-capital columns. Friezes on the wall describe thestages in the Opet Festival, from sacrifices at Karnak at the top left, through Amun's arrivalat Luxor at the end of that wall, and concluding with his return on the opposite side. Thedecorations were put in place by Tutankhamun: the boy pharaoh is depicted, but his nameshave been replaced with those of Horemheb.

Beyond the colonnade is a peristyle courtyard, which also dates back to Amenhotep'soriginal construction. The best preserved columns are on the eastern side, where sometraces of original colour can be seen. The southern side of this courtyard is made up of a 36-column hypostyle court that leads into the dark inner rooms of the temple.

Documents

X 002 Egyptian Architecture