The architecture of ancient Egypt

ARCHAIC PERIOD 3000-2665 BCunification of two kingdoms of Egypt

stone architectureOLD KINGDOM until 2150 BC ca

absolute kingshipPyramids along the Nile Valley

MIDDLE KINGDOM 2250-1750 BCpolitical and social chaos-provincial governors

pharaoh is a mediation between deities and peopleSun god Amon cult

NEW KINGDOM 1600-1300 BCThe emerging of a capital: Thebes

a vast Empire from Sudan to PalestineTemples replaced tombs as landmarks along the Nile River

connected each others through vast axes

THE NILE RIVER AS A GREAT AXIS

SENSE OF ETERNITY AND STABILITY

THE CORE OF EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE: BURIAL MONUMENTS

FIRST TYPES

Zoser mortuary complex at Saqqara, Archaic Period, 2680 BC circa.

Zoser mortuary complex at Saqqara, the serdab or sitting statue of the Zoser king.

Cheops pyramid

Chefren pyramid

Mykerinos pyramid

XXVI century BC

Chefren complex

Valley temple

Sphinx Temple of Harmakhis

Mortuary temple

Cheops pyramid

Chefren pyramid

Mykerinos pyramid

XXVI century BC

Chefren complex

Valley temple

Sphinx Temple of Harmakhis

Mortuary temple

Hatshepsut complex in Der el-Bahri, 1500 BC circa.

MentuhotepMortuary templeMiddle KingdomXXI century BC

HatshepsutMortuary templeNew KingdomXVI century BC

Karnak Amon templesNew KingdomXVI-XV century BC

Luxor Amon templeNew KingdomXVI-XIII century BC

Hatshepsut complex in Der el-Bahri, 1500 BC circa. The sphinx avenue