ARCHITECTURE OF THE

AFTERLIFE Embalming & Tombs in Ancient Egypt

ProfessorWillAdams

Ancient Egypt: Gift of the Nile

Ancient Egypt: Gift of the Nile

▪ TheancientEgyptiansinhabitedthefertilevalleyoftheNile.

Ancient Egypt: Gift of the Nile

▪ TheancientEgyptiansinhabitedthefertilevalleyoftheNile.

▪ Theriver'sannualflooddepositedafreshlayerofsilt,renewingthefertilityofthesoil&ensuringthat,forthemostpart,thecountrywasprosperous&thepopulationsufficientlyfed.

Ancient Egypt: Gift of the Nile

▪ TheancientEgyptiansinhabitedthefertilevalleyoftheNile.

▪ Theriver'sannualflooddepositedafreshlayerofsilt,renewingthefertilityofthesoil&ensuringthat,forthemostpart,thecountrywasprosperous&thepopulationsufficientlyfed.

▪ Formuchoftheyear,mostpeoplewouldbeinvolvedinagriculturallaborofsomekind,butduringtheInundation(July–October)theworkforcewasusedbythestateforbuilding&othermajorprojectssuchas"rehabilitation"ofthelandfollowingtheflood.

Ancient Egyptian Mummification Preserving Pharaohs for an Eternity

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ TheancientEgyptians’funerarycustoms&beliefscalledforthepreservationofthebody&ampleprovisionsfortheafterlife.

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ TheancientEgyptians’funerarycustoms&beliefscalledforthepreservationofthebody&ampleprovisionsfortheafterlife.

▪ Thiswasenvisionedasacontinuationofthemortalexistenceafterdeath.

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ TheancientEgyptians’funerarycustoms&beliefscalledforthepreservationofthebody&ampleprovisionsfortheafterlife.

▪ Thiswasenvisionedasacontinuationofthemortalexistenceafterdeath.

▪ AnancientEgyptianwouldprovidefortheafterlifeasbestashisorhereconomicabilitieswouldallow.

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ TheancientEgyptians’funerarycustoms&beliefscalledforthepreservationofthebody&ampleprovisionsfortheafterlife.

▪ Thiswasenvisionedasacontinuationofthemortalexistenceafterdeath.

▪ AnancientEgyptianwouldprovidefortheafterlifeasbestashisorhereconomicabilitieswouldallow.

▪ Today,thismeansthatahugeamountofinformationaboutdailylifeinancientEgyptcanbefoundinthetombs.

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ TheancientEgyptians’funerarycustoms&beliefscalledforthepreservationofthebody&ampleprovisionsfortheafterlife.

▪ Thiswasenvisionedasacontinuationofthemortalexistenceafterdeath.

▪ AnancientEgyptianwouldprovidefortheafterlifeasbestashisorhereconomicabilitieswouldallow.

▪ Today,thismeansthatahugeamountofinformationaboutdailylifeinancientEgyptcanbefoundinthetombs.

▪ Examinationofmummiesprovidesinformationonhealth,diet&life-expectancy.

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ ThebodyofadeadEgyptianwouldbemadeintoamummyinordertopreservethebodyforitsimmortalsoul,orka.

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ ThebodyofadeadEgyptianwouldbemadeintoamummyinordertopreservethebodyforitsimmortalsoul,orka.

▪ Theword"mummy"comesfromtheArabicmumiyah(bodypreservedbywaxorbitumen)

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ ThebodyofadeadEgyptianwouldbemadeintoamummyinordertopreservethebodyforitsimmortalsoul,orka.

▪ Theword"mummy"comesfromtheArabicmumiyah(bodypreservedbywaxorbitumen)

▪ Theprocessofmummificationwascomplicated,includingremovingorgans&wrappingthebodyinlinencloth.

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ ThebodyofadeadEgyptianwouldbemadeintoamummyinordertopreservethebodyforitsimmortalsoul,orka.

▪ Theword"mummy"comesfromtheArabicmumiyah(bodypreservedbywaxorbitumen)

▪ Theprocessofmummificationwascomplicated,includingremovingorgans&wrappingthebodyinlinencloth.

▪ Thebodywastreatedwithpreservativeswhichdriedoutthebodyofthemummy.

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ ThebodyofadeadEgyptianwouldbemadeintoamummyinordertopreservethebodyforitsimmortalsoul,orka.

▪ Theword"mummy"comesfromtheArabicmumiyah(bodypreservedbywaxorbitumen)

▪ Theprocessofmummificationwascomplicated,includingremovingorgans&wrappingthebodyinlinencloth.

▪ Thebodywastreatedwithpreservativeswhichdriedoutthebodyofthemummy.

▪ TheancientEgyptiansbelievedthat,afterdeath,theirbodieswouldtraveltotheworldoftheafterlifeduringtheday&returntotheirbodiesatnight.

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ Inorderfortheperson’sspirit,orka,toliveforever,ithadtobeabletorecognize&returntothebody.

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ Inorderfortheperson’sspirit,orka,toliveforever,ithadtobeabletorecognize&returntothebody.

▪ Ifaspiritcouldnotrecognizethebodyitbelongedto,itwoulddie.

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ Inorderfortheperson’sspirit,orka,toliveforever,ithadtobeabletorecognize&returntothebody.

▪ Ifaspiritcouldnotrecognizethebodyitbelongedto,itwoulddie.

▪ ThisiswhytheEgyptianswantedtopreservethebodiesofthedeadinaslife-likeastateaspossible.

The Purpose of Egyptian Mummification

▪ Inorderfortheperson’sspirit,orka,toliveforever,ithadtobeabletorecognize&returntothebody.

▪ Ifaspiritcouldnotrecognizethebodyitbelongedto,itwoulddie.

▪ ThisiswhytheEgyptianswantedtopreservethebodiesofthedeadinaslife-likeastateaspossible.

▪ Mummificationguaranteedeternallifeforthespirit.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Theentireprocesstook70daystocomplete.

The Mummification Process

▪ Theentireprocesstook70daystocomplete.

▪ Severalembalmersconductedthetaskinthespecialembalmingshop,orper-nefer.

The Mummification Process

▪ Theentireprocesstook70daystocomplete.

▪ Severalembalmersconductedthetaskinthespecialembalmingshop,orper-nefer.

▪ Thechiefembalmerwasknownastheherysheshta.

The Mummification Process

▪ Theentireprocesstook70daystocomplete.

▪ Severalembalmersconductedthetaskinthespecialembalmingshop,orper-nefer.

▪ Thechiefembalmerwasknownastheherysheshta.

▪ HeworeajackalmasktorepresentAnubis,thegodofmummification.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Afterthedeceased’sbodywasbroughttotheper-nefer,itwaswashedwithamixtureofpalmwineandwaterfromtheNile,thenshavedofitshair.

The Mummification Process

▪ Afterthedeceased’sbodywasbroughttotheper-nefer,itwaswashedwithamixtureofpalmwineandwaterfromtheNile,thenshavedofitshair.

▪ Followingthat,allofthebodypartsthatmightdecayorrotwereremoved.

The Mummification Process

▪ Afterthedeceased’sbodywasbroughttotheper-nefer,itwaswashedwithamixtureofpalmwineandwaterfromtheNile,thenshavedofitshair.

▪ Followingthat,allofthebodypartsthatmightdecayorrotwereremoved.

▪ Theembalmersfirstremovedthedeceased’sbrainthroughhisorhernoseusingalonghook.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Thelonghookwasusedtostirupthebrainuntilitwasliquefied.

The Mummification Process

▪ Thelonghookwasusedtostirupthebrainuntilitwasliquefied.

▪ Thentheembalmerswouldturnthebodyfacedowntoallowthebraintooozeoutthroughthenostrils.

The Mummification Process

▪ Thelonghookwasusedtostirupthebrainuntilitwasliquefied.

▪ Thentheembalmerswouldturnthebodyfacedowntoallowthebraintooozeoutthroughthenostrils.

▪ TheEgyptiansweresoroughonthebrainbecausetheydidn’trealizeitsimportance.

The Mummification Process

▪ Thelonghookwasusedtostirupthebrainuntilitwasliquefied.

▪ Thentheembalmerswouldturnthebodyfacedowntoallowthebraintooozeoutthroughthenostrils.

▪ TheEgyptiansweresoroughonthebrainbecausetheydidn’trealizeitsimportance.

▪ Theythoughtitssolepurposewastoproducesnot!

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Next,theembalmerswouldremovethesoft,moistbodypartsthatwouldcausethebodytodecay.

The Mummification Process

▪ Next,theembalmerswouldremovethesoft,moistbodypartsthatwouldcausethebodytodecay.

▪ Adeepincisionwasmadeintheleftsideofthedeceased’sabdomentoremovehisorherinternalorgans,usuallythelungs,thestomach,theliverandtheintestines.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Insomecasestheyremovedtheheart,butinthevastmajorityofcasestheyleftit.

The Mummification Process

▪ Insomecasestheyremovedtheheart,butinthevastmajorityofcasestheyleftit.

▪ Unlikemodernhumans,theancientbelievedthattheheart,notthebrain,wastheseatofthesoul

The Mummification Process

▪ Insomecasestheyremovedtheheart,butinthevastmajorityofcasestheyleftit.

▪ Unlikemodernhumans,theancientbelievedthattheheart,notthebrain,wastheseatofthesoul

▪ TheEgyptiansalsobelievedthatthehearttestifiedonbehalfofthedeceasedduringtheWeighingoftheHeartCeremonyintheafterlife.

The Mummification Process

▪ Insomecasestheyremovedtheheart,butinthevastmajorityofcasestheyleftit.

▪ Unlikemodernhumans,theancientbelievedthattheheart,notthebrain,wastheseatofthesoul

▪ TheEgyptiansalsobelievedthatthehearttestifiedonbehalfofthedeceasedduringtheWeighingoftheHeartCeremonyintheafterlife.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Afterthebody’sorganshadbeenremoved,itwasstuffedwithbundlesofastrongdryingsaltcallednatronthatwasmeanttofurtherdehydratethecorpse.

The Mummification Process

▪ Afterthebody’sorganshadbeenremoved,itwasstuffedwithbundlesofastrongdryingsaltcallednatronthatwasmeanttofurtherdehydratethecorpse.

▪ Thedeceased’sentirebodywasthencoveredwithnatron&placedonaninclinedslabsothatanymoisturethenatronpulledfromthebodywouldrunofftheend,becollected&buriedwiththebody.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Whilethebodywasdrying,thepreviouslyremovedinternalorganswerealsodried&preservedwithnatron.

The Mummification Process

▪ Whilethebodywasdrying,thepreviouslyremovedinternalorganswerealsodried&preservedwithnatron.

▪ Theywerethenwrappedinstripsoflinen&putintoseparatecontainerscalledcanopicjars.

The Mummification Process

▪ Whilethebodywasdrying,thepreviouslyremovedinternalorganswerealsodried&preservedwithnatron.

▪ Theywerethenwrappedinstripsoflinen&putintoseparatecontainerscalledcanopicjars.

The Mummification Process

▪ Whilethebodywasdrying,thepreviouslyremovedinternalorganswerealsodried&preservedwithnatron.

▪ Theywerethenwrappedinstripsoflinen&putintoseparatecontainerscalledcanopicjars.

▪ TheEgyptiansbelievedthatallbodypartswouldbemagicallyreunitedintheafterlifeandthatthebodywouldbecomewholeagain,justlikethegodOsiris’shad.

The Egyptian Myth of Osiris

The Egyptian Myth of Osiris

▪ AccordingtoEgyptianmythology,thegodOsiriswasmurderedbyhisjealousbrotherSet,whohackedOsiris’sbodyintopieces&scatteredthemintotheNile.

The Egyptian Myth of Osiris

▪ AccordingtoEgyptianmythology,thegodOsiriswasmurderedbyhisjealousbrotherSet,whohackedOsiris’sbodyintopieces&scatteredthemintotheNile.

▪ Heartbroken,Osiris’swife,thegoddessIsis,reassembledthepieceswiththeothergods’assistance&Osiriswasmagicallyrestored.

The Egyptian Myth of Osiris

▪ AccordingtoEgyptianmythology,thegodOsiriswasmurderedbyhisjealousbrotherSet,whohackedOsiris’sbodyintopieces&scatteredthemintotheNile.

▪ Heartbroken,Osiris’swife,thegoddessIsis,reassembledthepieceswiththeothergods’assistance&Osiriswasmagicallyrestored.

▪ Hethenwentontobecomethegodoftheafterlife.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process▪ Thestoppersofthecanopicjars

wereshapedliketheheadsofthefoursonsofthegodHorus(godoftheEgyptiankings).

The Mummification Process▪ Thestoppersofthecanopicjars

wereshapedliketheheadsofthefoursonsofthegodHorus(godoftheEgyptiankings).

The Mummification Process▪ Thestoppersofthecanopicjars

wereshapedliketheheadsofthefoursonsofthegodHorus(godoftheEgyptiankings).

▪ Eachsonprotectedtheorganplacedinsidehisrespectivejar:

The Mummification Process▪ Thestoppersofthecanopicjars

wereshapedliketheheadsofthefoursonsofthegodHorus(godoftheEgyptiankings).

▪ Eachsonprotectedtheorganplacedinsidehisrespectivejar:

▪ Jackal-headedDuamutefguardedthejarthatcontainedthestomach.

The Mummification Process▪ Thestoppersofthecanopicjars

wereshapedliketheheadsofthefoursonsofthegodHorus(godoftheEgyptiankings).

▪ Eachsonprotectedtheorganplacedinsidehisrespectivejar:

▪ Jackal-headedDuamutefguardedthejarthatcontainedthestomach.

▪ Falcon-headedQebehsenufwatchedovertheintestines.

The Mummification Process▪ Thestoppersofthecanopicjars

wereshapedliketheheadsofthefoursonsofthegodHorus(godoftheEgyptiankings).

▪ Eachsonprotectedtheorganplacedinsidehisrespectivejar:

▪ Jackal-headedDuamutefguardedthejarthatcontainedthestomach.

▪ Falcon-headedQebehsenufwatchedovertheintestines.

▪ Thebaboon-headedsonofHorus,Hapi,protectedthelungs.

The Mummification Process▪ Thestoppersofthecanopicjars

wereshapedliketheheadsofthefoursonsofthegodHorus(godoftheEgyptiankings).

▪ Eachsonprotectedtheorganplacedinsidehisrespectivejar:

▪ Jackal-headedDuamutefguardedthejarthatcontainedthestomach.

▪ Falcon-headedQebehsenufwatchedovertheintestines.

▪ Thebaboon-headedsonofHorus,Hapi,protectedthelungs.

▪ Human-headedImsetiwasinchargeofprotectingtheliver.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Next,thecanopicjarswerecarefullystoredinaheavy,securechestthatwaslaterplacedinthetombwiththemummy.

The Mummification Process

▪ Next,thecanopicjarswerecarefullystoredinaheavy,securechestthatwaslaterplacedinthetombwiththemummy.

▪ ThechestofcanopicjarsontheleftwasfoundinthetombofthefamousKingTutankhamen.

The Mummification Process

▪ Next,thecanopicjarswerecarefullystoredinaheavy,securechestthatwaslaterplacedinthetombwiththemummy.

▪ ThechestofcanopicjarsontheleftwasfoundinthetombofthefamousKingTutankhamen.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ After40days,thebodywascompletelydehydrated.

The Mummification Process

▪ After40days,thebodywascompletelydehydrated.

▪ Duringthattimetheskinbecameshrunken,wrinkled&leathery.

The Mummification Process

▪ After40days,thebodywascompletelydehydrated.

▪ Duringthattimetheskinbecameshrunken,wrinkled&leathery.

▪ Thebundlesofnatronwerethenremovedfromthebody’sabdomen.

The Mummification Process

▪ After40days,thebodywascompletelydehydrated.

▪ Duringthattimetheskinbecameshrunken,wrinkled&leathery.

▪ Thebundlesofnatronwerethenremovedfromthebody’sabdomen.

▪ Next,themummywaswashedwithwine&wateronemoretime&rubbedwithsacredoilstosoftentheskin.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Themummy’shead&bodywerepackedwithherbs,sawdust&linensoakedinscentedoilsothatthebodycouldregainitsshape,andtodeodorizethedeceased’sbody.

The Mummification Process

▪ Themummy’shead&bodywerepackedwithherbs,sawdust&linensoakedinscentedoilsothatthebodycouldregainitsshape,andtodeodorizethedeceased’sbody.

▪ Then,smallstonesorsmallonionswereplacedundertheeyelidstorestorealife-likeappearance.

The Mummification Process

▪ Themummy’shead&bodywerepackedwithherbs,sawdust&linensoakedinscentedoilsothatthebodycouldregainitsshape,andtodeodorizethedeceased’sbody.

▪ Then,smallstonesorsmallonionswereplacedundertheeyelidstorestorealife-likeappearance.

▪ Oncethiswasdone,themummycouldbecoveredwithnecklaces,ringsandbraceletsmadeofgold&gems.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ AccordingtoEgyptianmyth,thegodHorushadhiseyemiraculouslyrestoredafterlosingitinabattlewiththeevilgodSet.

The Mummification Process

▪ AccordingtoEgyptianmyth,thegodHorushadhiseyemiraculouslyrestoredafterlosingitinabattlewiththeevilgodSet.

▪ Asaresult,TheEyeofHorus,calledawedjat,isassociatedwithhealing&protection.

The Mummification Process

▪ AccordingtoEgyptianmyth,thegodHorushadhiseyemiraculouslyrestoredafterlosingitinabattlewiththeevilgodSet.

▪ Asaresult,TheEyeofHorus,calledawedjat,isassociatedwithhealing&protection.

▪ Duringmummification,awaxorbronzeplatewithawedjatcarvedonitwasplacedovertheembalmingincisiontomagicallyhealthewoundintheafterlife.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Oncethewedjatwasinplace,theentirebodywasthencoveredinshrouds&boundwithstripsoflinenuntilthemummyhadreturnedtoitsoriginalsize.

The Mummification Process

▪ Oncethewedjatwasinplace,theentirebodywasthencoveredinshrouds&boundwithstripsoflinenuntilthemummyhadreturnedtoitsoriginalsize.

▪ Thiswasacomplicatedjob,couldtakeaslongasaweek,andusuallyrequired1,000yards’worthof2–8”widelinenstrips.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Asthemummywasbeingwrapped,small,magicalcarvingscalledamuletswereinsertedbetweenthelayersoflinentofurtherprotectthemummy’sspiritonitswaytotheafterlife.

The Mummification Process

▪ Asthemummywasbeingwrapped,small,magicalcarvingscalledamuletswereinsertedbetweenthelayersoflinentofurtherprotectthemummy’sspiritonitswaytotheafterlife.

▪ Aseachlayerwasadded,itwascoatedwithresintoholdthewrappingstogetherwithawaterproofseal.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Aftertheweekofwrappingwasfinished,theheadofthemummywascoveredwithaportraitmask.

The Mummification Process

▪ Aftertheweekofwrappingwasfinished,theheadofthemummywascoveredwithaportraitmask.

▪ Thiswasdesignedtoensurethatthekawouldrecognizethebodyintheafterlife.

The Mummification Process

▪ Aftertheweekofwrappingwasfinished,theheadofthemummywascoveredwithaportraitmask.

▪ Thiswasdesignedtoensurethatthekawouldrecognizethebodyintheafterlife.

▪ Finally,thewrapped,maskedmummywasplacedintoaseriesofwooden&gildedcoffinswhichwereultimatelyplacedintoastonesarcophagus.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Onthedayofthefuneral,themummywasbroughttothewesternbankoftheNileonabarque.

The Mummification Process

▪ Onthedayofthefuneral,themummywasbroughttothewesternbankoftheNileonabarque.

▪ Themummywasnextbroughttoitstomb,whereOsiris’spriestsperformedtheOpeningoftheMouthCeremonybytouchingthedeceased’seyes,nose,andmouthofthesarcophaguswithasacredtool.

The Mummification Process

▪ Onthedayofthefuneral,themummywasbroughttothewesternbankoftheNileonabarque.

▪ Themummywasnextbroughttoitstomb,whereOsiris’spriestsperformedtheOpeningoftheMouthCeremonybytouchingthedeceased’seyes,nose,andmouthofthesarcophaguswithasacredtool.

▪ Thisritualsymbolicallyreactivatedthesesensesintheafterlife.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process▪ Thedeceased’ssarcophaguswas

thenplacedinsidethetomb’sburialchamber,theentrancetowhichwouldbesealedtopreventlootingortheft.

The Mummification Process▪ Thedeceased’ssarcophaguswas

thenplacedinsidethetomb’sburialchamber,theentrancetowhichwouldbesealedtopreventlootingortheft.

▪ Beforethetombwassealed,thedeceased’sfamilymembersdepositedfood,clothes,furniture,anddishesintotheburialchamber.

The Mummification Process▪ Thedeceased’ssarcophaguswas

thenplacedinsidethetomb’sburialchamber,theentrancetowhichwouldbesealedtopreventlootingortheft.

▪ Beforethetombwassealed,thedeceased’sfamilymembersdepositedfood,clothes,furniture,anddishesintotheburialchamber.

▪ TheydidthisbecausetheEgyptiansbelievedthedeceasedwouldneedthesameaccoutrementsintheafterlifethatheorshehadusedinhisorhermortallife.

The Mummification Process

The Mummification Process

▪ Ifyoustillcan’tgetenoughoftheEgyptianmummificationprocess,thenyoumightenjoytheopportunitytoactlikeavirtualheryshesta,usingtheQuébecMuseumofCivilization’sonlineembalminggameat:

The Mummification Process

▪ Ifyoustillcan’tgetenoughoftheEgyptianmummificationprocess,thenyoumightenjoytheopportunitytoactlikeavirtualheryshesta,usingtheQuébecMuseumofCivilization’sonlineembalminggameat:

www.mcq.org/momies

Architecture of the Afterlife Erecting A Pharaoh’s Eternal Home

Architecture of the Afterlife Building Materials

Architecture of the Afterlife Building Materials

▪ The3mostcommonmaterialsforconstructioninEgyptwereplantmaterials,clay&stone.

Architecture of the Afterlife Building Materials

▪ The3mostcommonmaterialsforconstructioninEgyptwereplantmaterials,clay&stone.

▪ Plantmaterialsconsistedofreadilyavailablematerialslikereeds,papyrus,&palmtreeribs&shafts.

Architecture of the Afterlife Building Materials

▪ The3mostcommonmaterialsforconstructioninEgyptwereplantmaterials,clay&stone.

▪ Plantmaterialsconsistedofreadilyavailablematerialslikereeds,papyrus,&palmtreeribs&shafts.

▪ Timberwasavailableinlimitedquantity&usedforroofing.

Architecture of the Afterlife Building Materials

▪ The3mostcommonmaterialsforconstructioninEgyptwereplantmaterials,clay&stone.

▪ Plantmaterialsconsistedofreadilyavailablematerialslikereeds,papyrus,&palmtreeribs&shafts.

▪ Timberwasavailableinlimitedquantity&usedforroofing.

▪ Nile-sourcedclaywasusedforconstruction,eitherforframeconstructionorassun-driedbrick.

Architecture of the Afterlife Building Materials

▪ The3mostcommonmaterialsforconstructioninEgyptwereplantmaterials,clay&stone.

▪ Plantmaterialsconsistedofreadilyavailablematerialslikereeds,papyrus,&palmtreeribs&shafts.

▪ Timberwasavailableinlimitedquantity&usedforroofing.

▪ Nile-sourcedclaywasusedforconstruction,eitherforframeconstructionorassun-driedbrick.

▪ StonewasnotusedmuchduringtheearlyperiodofEgyptiancivilization,butbecamepopularlaterfortombs&temples.

Architecture of the Afterlife The Socio-Cultural Context

Architecture of the Afterlife The Socio-Cultural Context

▪ AncientEgyptiansviewedearthlydwellingsastemporary,sotheyspentverylittleemphasisonhouseconstruction.

Architecture of the Afterlife The Socio-Cultural Context

▪ AncientEgyptiansviewedearthlydwellingsastemporary,sotheyspentverylittleemphasisonhouseconstruction.

▪ Instead,tremendouseffortwasexertedintombconstruction.

Architecture of the Afterlife The Socio-Cultural Context

▪ AncientEgyptiansviewedearthlydwellingsastemporary,sotheyspentverylittleemphasisonhouseconstruction.

▪ Instead,tremendouseffortwasexertedintombconstruction.

▪ Thisstemmedfromthebeliefthatthedeceased’stombwashisorhertruepermanentdwelling,asitwouldbeusedfortheentiretyoftheafterlife.

Architecture of the Afterlife The Socio-Cultural Context

Architecture of the Afterlife The Socio-Cultural Context

▪ Aspreviouslystated,Egyptiansbelievedthatadeadpersonneededallherorhisworldlygoodsintheafterlife.

Architecture of the Afterlife The Socio-Cultural Context

▪ Aspreviouslystated,Egyptiansbelievedthatadeadpersonneededallherorhisworldlygoodsintheafterlife.

▪ Subsequently,thetombwasusuallypackedwithallthedeadperson’streasures.

Architecture of the Afterlife The Socio-Cultural Context

▪ Aspreviouslystated,Egyptiansbelievedthatadeadpersonneededallherorhisworldlygoodsintheafterlife.

▪ Subsequently,thetombwasusuallypackedwithallthedeadperson’streasures.

▪ Ifsomethingcouldnotbeprovided,itsimagewaspaintedonthewallsofthetomb.

Architecture of the Afterlife

Architecture of the Afterlife▪ DuringtheOldKingdom,the

pharaohandhiscourtlivedinMemphis.

Architecture of the Afterlife▪ DuringtheOldKingdom,the

pharaohandhiscourtlivedinMemphis.

▪ Whentheydied,theywereburiedatthenecropolisatSaqqara.

Architecture of the Afterlife▪ DuringtheOldKingdom,the

pharaohandhiscourtlivedinMemphis.

▪ Whentheydied,theywereburiedatthenecropolisatSaqqara.

▪ Today,verylittleofancientMemphissurvivesbecauseitsstructureswerebuiltfrominexpensive,locally-sourcedmaterials.

Architecture of the Afterlife▪ DuringtheOldKingdom,the

pharaohandhiscourtlivedinMemphis.

▪ Whentheydied,theywereburiedatthenecropolisatSaqqara.

▪ Today,verylittleofancientMemphissurvivesbecauseitsstructureswerebuiltfrominexpensive,locally-sourcedmaterials.

▪ Houseswerebuiltofmaterialslikewoodandmud-brick,andwereonlymeanttolastfor1lifetime.

Architecture of the Afterlife

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ TheearliestmethodofburialinancientEgyptwasactuallyinshallowpitsinthedesertoftheNile’swestbank.

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ TheearliestmethodofburialinancientEgyptwasactuallyinshallowpitsinthedesertoftheNile’swestbank.

▪ Thedesertsanddriedthebodiesandpreservedthem.

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ TheearliestmethodofburialinancientEgyptwasactuallyinshallowpitsinthedesertoftheNile’swestbank.

▪ Thedesertsanddriedthebodiesandpreservedthem.

▪ Whenanimalspreyingonbodiesbecameaprobleminburial,thepeopledugtheirgravesdeeper.

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ TheearliestmethodofburialinancientEgyptwasactuallyinshallowpitsinthedesertoftheNile’swestbank.

▪ Thedesertsanddriedthebodiesandpreservedthem.

▪ Whenanimalspreyingonbodiesbecameaprobleminburial,thepeopledugtheirgravesdeeper.

▪ Intheend,toensurethepreservationoftheirburials,theybuiltabench-likestructureovergravestocreatethefirstburialstructurecalledamastaba.

Architecture of the Afterlife

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ ThenamemastabaderivedfromthenameforthestepsorpodiumsfoundinthefrontoftraditionalEgyptianhouses.

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ ThenamemastabaderivedfromthenameforthestepsorpodiumsfoundinthefrontoftraditionalEgyptianhouses.

▪ IntheOldKingdom,rich&noblepeoplebuiltmastabasfortheirburialsinthenecropolis.

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ ThenamemastabaderivedfromthenameforthestepsorpodiumsfoundinthefrontoftraditionalEgyptianhouses.

▪ IntheOldKingdom,rich&noblepeoplebuiltmastabasfortheirburialsinthenecropolis.

▪ Aboveground,themastabalookslikealargebenchofsunbakedbricksrisingabout30feethigh,withaflatroof&slopingwalls.

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ ThenamemastabaderivedfromthenameforthestepsorpodiumsfoundinthefrontoftraditionalEgyptianhouses.

▪ IntheOldKingdom,rich&noblepeoplebuiltmastabasfortheirburialsinthenecropolis.

▪ Aboveground,themastabalookslikealargebenchofsunbakedbricksrisingabout30feethigh,withaflatroof&slopingwalls.

▪ Theearliestmastabasweredecoratedwithpaintedpatternsinbrilliantcolors.

Architecture of the Afterlife

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ Internally,amastabaconsistsofthreespaces:anundergroundburialchamber&anabovegroundserdab&chapel.

▪ Theburialchamberwaslocated30feetbelowground&wastheplaceforthedeceased’ssarcophagus.

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ Internally,amastabaconsistsofthreespaces:anundergroundburialchamber&anabovegroundserdab&chapel.

▪ Theburialchamberwaslocated30feetbelowground&wastheplaceforthedeceased’ssarcophagus.

▪ Itwasconnectedtotheserdab&chapelabovegroundthroughashaft.

Architecture of the Afterlife

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ Themastaba’sserdab&chapelarelocatedabove-ground.

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ Themastaba’sserdab&chapelarelocatedabove-ground.

▪ Theserdabisaroomwherethekastatueofthedeadpersoniskept.

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ Themastaba’sserdab&chapelarelocatedabove-ground.

▪ Theserdabisaroomwherethekastatueofthedeadpersoniskept.

▪ Thekastatuewouldactasasubstituteforthedeceased’sbodyincaseitwasdestroyedandwasalsothefocusofworshipbythedeceased’sfamilymembers.

Architecture of the Afterlife

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ Somemastabashadsurroundingsecurityfencesorwalls,andsomeevenhadchambersfortheburialofthedeceased’sservantsorpets.

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ Somemastabashadsurroundingsecurityfencesorwalls,andsomeevenhadchambersfortheburialofthedeceased’sservantsorpets.

Architecture of the Afterlife

▪ Somemastabashadsurroundingsecurityfencesorwalls,andsomeevenhadchambersfortheburialofthedeceased’sservantsorpets.

▪ Thedesignofthemastabaisthearchitecturalembryothatgrewintothepyramids.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Step Pyramid of King Djoser

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Step Pyramid of King Djoser

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Step Pyramid of King Djoser

▪ EgyptianKingDjoserwasapowerfulpharaohofthethirddynastyoftheOldKingdom.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Step Pyramid of King Djoser

▪ EgyptianKingDjoserwasapowerfulpharaohofthethirddynastyoftheOldKingdom.

▪ Histomb,knownastheStepPyramidofKingDjoser,wasdesignedbyImhotep(thefirstnamedartistinhistory)in2,667BCE.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Step Pyramid of King Djoser

▪ EgyptianKingDjoserwasapowerfulpharaohofthethirddynastyoftheOldKingdom.

▪ Histomb,knownastheStepPyramidofKingDjoser,wasdesignedbyImhotep(thefirstnamedartistinhistory)in2,667BCE.

▪ ItwasbuiltasafuneralcomplexatthenecropolisofSaqqara.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Step Pyramid of King Djoser

▪ EgyptianKingDjoserwasapowerfulpharaohofthethirddynastyoftheOldKingdom.

▪ Histomb,knownastheStepPyramidofKingDjoser,wasdesignedbyImhotep(thefirstnamedartistinhistory)in2,667BCE.

▪ ItwasbuiltasafuneralcomplexatthenecropolisofSaqqara.

▪ Initially,Imhotepconceivedofthetombasalargemastabaofstone.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Step Pyramid of King Djoser

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Step Pyramid of King Djoser

▪ Apparently,KingDjoserdidnotlikeImhotep’sinitialidea,soinsteadImhotepdesignedaseriesoflayeredmastaba“steps”instead.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Step Pyramid of King Djoser

▪ Apparently,KingDjoserdidnotlikeImhotep’sinitialidea,soinsteadImhotepdesignedaseriesoflayeredmastaba“steps”instead.

▪ Theresultwasapyramidwithfiveslopingtierssetuponamassivemastababase.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Step Pyramid of King Djoser

▪ Apparently,KingDjoserdidnotlikeImhotep’sinitialidea,soinsteadImhotepdesignedaseriesoflayeredmastaba“steps”instead.

▪ Theresultwasapyramidwithfiveslopingtierssetuponamassivemastababase.

▪ Asaresult,thissteppyramidactsastheintermediatestepbetweenthemastabaandatruegeometricpyramid.

Architecture of the Afterlife:Snefru’s Bent Pyramid at Dahshur

Architecture of the Afterlife:Snefru’s Bent Pyramid at Dahshur

▪ ThelaterPharaohSnefrumadetwoattemptsatcreatingatruepyramid.

Architecture of the Afterlife:Snefru’s Bent Pyramid at Dahshur

▪ ThelaterPharaohSnefrumadetwoattemptsatcreatingatruepyramid.

▪ Hisfirstattemptin2,600BCE,theBentPyramidatDahshur,hadasquareplanwithaheightof334’.

Architecture of the Afterlife:Snefru’s Bent Pyramid at Dahshur

▪ ThelaterPharaohSnefrumadetwoattemptsatcreatingatruepyramid.

▪ Hisfirstattemptin2,600BCE,theBentPyramidatDahshur,hadasquareplanwithaheightof334’.

▪ Duetostructuralinstabilityduringconstruction,thepyramid’ssideschangedanglehalfwayup,whichledtoitsbeingnicknamedthe“BentPyramid”.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ ConstructionofatruegeometricalpyramidwasfinallyachievedduringreignofKingKhufu,sonofSnefru,in2,560BCE.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ ConstructionofatruegeometricalpyramidwasfinallyachievedduringreignofKingKhufu,sonofSnefru,in2,560BCE.

▪ Hispyramidislocated,alongwiththeothermostfamoustruepyramids,ontheGizaPlateauonthewestbankoftheNile.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ ConstructionofatruegeometricalpyramidwasfinallyachievedduringreignofKingKhufu,sonofSnefru,in2,560BCE.

▪ Hispyramidislocated,alongwiththeothermostfamoustruepyramids,ontheGizaPlateauonthewestbankoftheNile.

▪ Thepyramidis482’highonaplanof760’square.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ Eventually,twoadditionalpyramidswerebuiltatGizabyCheops’successors.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ Eventually,twoadditionalpyramidswerebuiltatGizabyCheops’successors.

▪ Thesecondandlargest,inthecenter,wasbuiltbyKingKhafre,KingCheops’sson.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ Eventually,twoadditionalpyramidswerebuiltatGizabyCheops’successors.

▪ Thesecondandlargest,inthecenter,wasbuiltbyKingKhafre,KingCheops’sson.

▪ ThethirdandsmallestwasbuiltbyKingMenkaure,Chefren’sson.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ Eventually,twoadditionalpyramidswerebuiltatGizabyCheops’successors.

▪ Thesecondandlargest,inthecenter,wasbuiltbyKingKhafre,KingCheops’sson.

▪ ThethirdandsmallestwasbuiltbyKingMenkaure,Chefren’sson.

▪ Collectively,thethreearereferredtoasthePyramidsatGiza.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ Allthepyramidsweredesignedaspartofadynasticfuneralcomplexfortheburialofthepharaohs.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ Allthepyramidsweredesignedaspartofadynasticfuneralcomplexfortheburialofthepharaohs.

▪ Today,Khafre’scomplexisthebestpreservedexample.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ Allthepyramidsweredesignedaspartofadynasticfuneralcomplexfortheburialofthepharaohs.

▪ Today,Khafre’scomplexisthebestpreservedexample.

▪ Hiscomplexconsistofthreeinterconnectedunits:❖ AvalleytemplebytheNile

wherethepharaoh’sbodywasembalmed

❖ Apyramidmortuarytempleforrituals

❖ Alongnarrowcausewayconnectingthetwo

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Great Sphinx

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Great Sphinx

▪ AlsolocatedatGizaistheGreatSphinxwiththebodyofalion&theheadofKhafre.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Great Sphinx

▪ AlsolocatedatGizaistheGreatSphinxwiththebodyofalion&theheadofKhafre.

▪ Thereasonforitsconstruction&itspurposeareunclear.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Great Sphinx

▪ AlsolocatedatGizaistheGreatSphinxwiththebodyofalion&theheadofKhafre.

▪ Thereasonforitsconstruction&itspurposeareunclear.

▪ Atheoryholdsthatitwasproducedfromleftoverpyramidmaterialsthatwereaappliedtoanexistingstone.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Great Sphinx

▪ AlsolocatedatGizaistheGreatSphinxwiththebodyofalion&theheadofKhafre.

▪ Thereasonforitsconstruction&itspurposeareunclear.

▪ Atheoryholdsthatitwasproducedfromleftoverpyramidmaterialsthatwereaappliedtoanexistingstone.

▪ Itmayalsohavebeencarvedtostandguardoverthetemple&tombofKhafre.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ Howwerethepyramidsconstructed?

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ Howwerethepyramidsconstructed?▪ Thereisnocompletelycertainknowledgeaboutthemethod

ofconstructionusedtocreatethepyramids.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ Howwerethepyramidsconstructed?▪ Thereisnocompletelycertainknowledgeaboutthemethod

ofconstructionusedtocreatethepyramids.▪ Thatsaid,scholarsestimatethatroughly100,000menworked

3-4monthseachyearfor30yearstobuildthepyramids.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ Howwerethepyramidsconstructed?▪ Thereisnocompletelycertainknowledgeaboutthemethod

ofconstructionusedtocreatethepyramids.▪ Thatsaid,scholarsestimatethatroughly100,000menworked

3-4monthseachyearfor30yearstobuildthepyramids.▪ Thematerialusedtoconstructthepyramidswaslimestone

quarriedfromnearby&transportedbyleveraction.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ Howwerethepyramidsconstructed?▪ Thereisnocompletelycertainknowledgeaboutthemethod

ofconstructionusedtocreatethepyramids.▪ Thatsaid,scholarsestimatethatroughly100,000menworked

3-4monthseachyearfor30yearstobuildthepyramids.▪ Thematerialusedtoconstructthepyramidswaslimestone

quarriedfromnearby&transportedbyleveraction.▪ Pyramidconstructionworkerswerepaidinfood,clothing&

drinks.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ ThePyramidsatGizawerebuilttocontrastthevastSaharandesertlandscapethatsurroundsthem.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ ThePyramidsatGizawerebuilttocontrastthevastSaharandesertlandscapethatsurroundsthem.

▪ Forstructurestobevisibleintheimmensedesert,theyhadtobebuiltonahugescale.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ ThePyramidsatGizawerebuilttocontrastthevastSaharandesertlandscapethatsurroundsthem.

▪ Forstructurestobevisibleintheimmensedesert,theyhadtobebuiltonahugescale.

▪ Thepyramidswereaproductofthewilltoachieveimmortalitybythepharaohs.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Pyramids at Giza

▪ ThePyramidsatGizawerebuilttocontrastthevastSaharandesertlandscapethatsurroundsthem.

▪ Forstructurestobevisibleintheimmensedesert,theyhadtobebuiltonahugescale.

▪ Thepyramidswereaproductofthewilltoachieveimmortalitybythepharaohs.

▪ Thepyramidswerebuiltwithsuchmonumentalitybecausetheyweretheeverlastinghomesofthepharaohs’kas.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Period of Pyramids Passes

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Period of Pyramids Passes

▪ WithKingMenkaure’sdeath,theeraofthepyramidendedforthemostpart.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Period of Pyramids Passes

▪ WithKingMenkaure’sdeath,theeraofthepyramidendedforthemostpart.

▪ Morepyramidswerebuiltbylaterpharaohs,buttheyweresmaller&lesscomplex.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Period of Pyramids Passes

▪ WithKingMenkaure’sdeath,theeraofthepyramidendedforthemostpart.

▪ Morepyramidswerebuiltbylaterpharaohs,buttheyweresmaller&lesscomplex.

▪ Also,laterpharaohscouldnotaffordthecostofhugepyramidconstruction.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Period of Pyramids Passes

▪ WithKingMenkaure’sdeath,theeraofthepyramidendedforthemostpart.

▪ Morepyramidswerebuiltbylaterpharaohs,buttheyweresmaller&lesscomplex.

▪ Also,laterpharaohscouldnotaffordthecostofhugepyramidconstruction.

▪ Ofevengreaterconcern,ancientgraverobbersquicklylearnedhowtobreakintothepyramids&stealthegoodsburiedwithpharaohs.

Architecture of the Afterlife:The Period of Pyramids Passes

▪ WithKingMenkaure’sdeath,theeraofthepyramidendedforthemostpart.

▪ Morepyramidswerebuiltbylaterpharaohs,buttheyweresmaller&lesscomplex.

▪ Also,laterpharaohscouldnotaffordthecostofhugepyramidconstruction.

▪ Ofevengreaterconcern,ancientgraverobbersquicklylearnedhowtobreakintothepyramids&stealthegoodsburiedwithpharaohs.

▪ TheendoftheOldKingdomthereforemarkedtheendofthegreateraofEgyptianpyramidconstruction.

The End