ANCIENT FUNERARY CUSTOMS By Bryan Jackson

TYPES OF BURIALS In the great Ancient Egyptian society most commoners only got a basic grave in the sand, while the pharaoh(God Kings) got amazing Monuments known as pyramids. But if you are a common person or even a slave you got a hole in the ground. These are pyramids next to step pyramids which were smaller in size and older.

STEP PYRAMID Step Pyramid Chronologically the first ‘pyramid’ was built at Saqqara in the 1st Dynasty ( ) and was a stepped mastaba?. This, along with the mortury temple of the 2nd Dynasty ( ) ruler Khasekhemwy(kasey), looks nothing like what we would associate with a pyramid but does have resounding similarities to the features of Djoser’s step pyramid which makes us believe that they could be fore-runners to the first pyramid structure that was built. These features include the use of compacted mud brick layers that were placed in the same layout as those in the step pyramids of later dynasties. Therefore, the building of the stepped mastaba, and of Khasekhemwy’s mortury temple, can be seen as important evolutionary steps in the building of the pyramids. It wasn’t until the 3rd Dynasty ( ) that the first stone pyramid was built at Saqqara by the son of Khasekhemwy, Netjerykhet, also known as Djoser (Zoser). Unlike previous mastabas, Djoser used a square foundation instead of a rectangular one and he built over this with stone. Repeating this process he used smaller layers of stone on top of each other until he had a pyramid of six steps that towered some 60 meters high. When this was completed and covered in limestone it would have reflected the rays of the sun and be seen for miles around. And yes we are covering all dynastys….sorta.

BENT PYRAMID Bent Pyramid( ) The 4th Dynasty brought a new stage in pyramid construction when Sneferu built several pyramids evolving from the step. His first attempt was built at Meidum and looked a little toweresque as it basically consisted of a step pyramid that had the first few tiers filled in so that the walls were smooth and geometric like those of a true pyramid. This was the first step pyramid successfully built since that of Djoser, however, this pyramid was flawed and “partially” collapsed. Sneferu then built a second pyramid which was again based around the step, but all of the outside was covered with smooth rock so each side consisted of two angular walls, the lowest at 54 degrees, the second a lesser angle of 43 degrees. The angle was changed during the construction so that it was able to sustain the weight on the top of the pyramid without it collapsing in on itself, yet the stone still started cracking and so Sneferu gave up on this design and travelled further north to attempt a third pyramid. But the pyramids could have changed degrees due too rain and other natural causes. Before… After…

TRUE PYRAMID True Pyramid The third pyramid built by Sneferu, known as the ‘Red Pyramid’, was located at Dahshur and this is the first true pyramid. Learning from his previous attempts Sneferu was able to build the structure so that its walls were raised at a consistent angle from the base to the apex at the same time as managing to support the weight that was bearing down upon it. It was Khufu (Greek: Cheops), son of Sneferu, who built the Great Pyramid on the Giza plateau which is the largest pyramid constructed and one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The other two noticable true pyramids on the Giza Plateau were built by the son of Khufu, Khafre, and Khafre’s son Menkaure. Khafra built his pyramid on higher ground than his father so, although it is actually smaller in size, it looks as if it the larger of the two. Also the red pyramid was dedicated to the god of (evil/desert/chaotic storms)Set.

BOOK OF THE DEAD. Book of the dead of Hunefer. Was a sort of guide to live their lives…well after-life anyways. It developed from a tradition of funerary Manu-scripts dating back to the ancient kingdom. Its got spells in it such as the opening of the mouth spell which will allow you to talk and breath in the after-life. You would receive the gueid after your heart(sins) are weighed in front of the judge- ful gods and then they would decide if you can pass into immortality. Isn't the devourer a cutie!

MORE COOL PICS OF THE DEVOURER Part Crocodile Part Lion Part Hippo ALL AWESOME!!!

RITUALS Opening of the mouth: Spell/Ceramony A priest would use ceremonial adze(Copper stone blades)in order to allow the person(mummy)could breath and speak in the after-life.