Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt Chapter 4, Section 2: Art, Architecture, and Learning in Egypt

Key Terms Hieroglyphic- drawing or symbol that represents a word or sound Papyrus-material made from papyrus weed that was used to write on Pyramid- structure with triangular sides Sculpture- statue or free standing piece of art made of clay, stone, or other materials Anatomy- study of the structure of the body and its organs

Writing and Literature Hieroglyphic Writing Developed early forms of writing by 3200 BC, around when cuneiform was developed in Sumer Most ancient Egyptians did not know how to write Scribes- officials who knew how to write Scribes were valued for their knowledge With writing, Egyptians could share and preserve knowledge

Writing and Literature (Continued) Papyrus Similar to paper Made from papyrus weed Scribes wrote in ink on papyrus Easier to write and transport, lasted a long time in dry environment Egyptian Literature Teachings, stories, poems, religious texts, histories. Written on papyrus, carved into stone monuments, painted on coffins The Book of the Dead was a guide to the afterlife for dead souls

Architecture and Art The Pyramids Egyptians made temples for their gods and tombs for pharaohs with large blocks of stone At first, tombs for rulers were underground chambers Then, an architect named Imhotep designed a diff. type of tomb that developed into pyramids During Old Kingdom, three enormous pyramids were built at Giza For King Khufu, his son Khafre, and his grandson Menkaure Khufu’s pyramid was the tallest building in the world for 4,000 years The famous sphinx statue guarded the pyramids These projects required thousands of laborers Egyptians also carved monuments into the sides of cliffs

Architecture and Art (Continued) Painting and Sculpture A lot of what is known about Egyptian culture is from paintings on tomb walls These paintings were supposed to give the entombed people all of the objects and pleasures in the afterlife Egyptians also made sculptures of gods and pharaohs. They believed a sculpture could replace a mummy to hold a spirit

Science and Mathematics The Egyptian Calendar At first, they based their yearly calendar off the moon to help farmers Then they noticed a particular star appeared right before floods came When the seasons were still off, they realized they had to change to a calendar based on the sun Greeks added leap years when they conquered Egypt in 200s BC Egyptians had a solid understanding of arithmetic and geometry Science Astronomy (study of stars) Chemistry- forms of glass, mortar, cosmetics Technology Engineering- pyramids, irrigation Medicine Anatomy from mummification, surgeries, diseases