the evolution of egyptian pyramid construction
DESCRIPTION
The Evolution of Egyptian Pyramid Construction. Mastaba. Mastaba. “House of eternity” Traced back to Pharaoh Aha (2686 BCE) Designed as protection for the mummy Tombs carved into the bedrock and covered with mud bricks with enclosures on the sides - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The Evolution of Egyptian Pyramid Construction
Mastaba“House of eternity”Traced back to Pharaoh Aha (2686
BCE)Designed as protection for the mummyTombs carved into the bedrock and
covered with mud bricks with enclosures on the sides◦Early mastabas not good as sand would
blow away and bodies were eaten by jackals
Djoser’s Step Pyramid at Saqqara
Djoser’s Step Pyramid at Saqqara2650 BCEPharaoh Djoser was 2nd Old KingdomImhotep was his brilliant Vizier/ArchitectFirst major stone building (limestone)
◦Symbolic meaning: stone immortalizes Djoser, preserving him from slow erosion of time
Layers of mastabas placed on top of each other
6 steps (layers) rise to height of 60 metres
Snefru’s Step Pyramid at Meidum
Snefru’s Step Pyramid at Meidum2613-2589 BCESnefru is Khufu’s fatherFirst above ground burial chamberCeiling bears the weight of the
pyramidInterior chambers never finished
◦But innovation in corbelled ceilingFirst attempt at a true pyramid failed
as smooth facing stones slipped off the sides of the seven layers (and were later removed as late as the 19th century)
Snefru’s Bent Pyramid at Dashur
Snefru’s Bent Pyramid at DashurFirst attempt at the classic shapeBuilt on gravel and not solid bedrockInside it is very dangerous because
burial chamber is held together with huge cedar beams
Much larger casing stones usedCasing blocks inclined inward
At nearly 50% complete, the internal chambers and the corners started to crack
Unprecedented two burial chambers, each with a separate entrance
Snefru’s Red Pyramid
Snefru’s Red PyramidFirst true pyramid
◦3rd time’s a charm for Snefru!Built on a smaller scale and at a
43 degree angle to reduce the time of construction
Mortuary chapel was now moved to eastern side from traditional northern side
Great Pyramid of Khufu
Great Pyramid of KhufuDesigned by Hemuinu, Khufu’s
cousinBuilt for 4th Dynasty Pharaoh
KhufuCompleted around 2560 BCEBase built on cardinal points of a
compass
Pyramid of Khafra
Pyramid of KhafraKhafra is the son of Khufu (2558-
2532 BCE)Second largest of the pyramids
◦Illusion of being the largest due to higher elevation of land (10 metres higher)
Made from limestoneSteeper angle
Pyramid of Menkaure
Pyramid of MenkaureSucceeded Khafra as Phraraoh (c.
2620 BC–2480 BCE) Constructed of limestone and
graniteThere are three subsidiary
pyramids associated with Menkaure's pyramid, possibly for his Queens