Egyptian Architecture

The Temple of Abu Simbel

Finished in 1224 BCE Finished in 1224 BCE Intended to show Egyptian power Intended to show Egyptian power Main temple (pictured) contains four statues of Ramses II Main temple (pictured) contains four statues of Ramses II Each statue about 60 feet tall Each statue about 60 feet tall

The Temple of Abu Simbel Its current location is NOT its original location… Its current location is NOT its original location…

Where do you go when you die? Initially, buried in the sand. Initially, buried in the sand.

Activity You can do better than that – Improving on the tomb. You can do better than that – Improving on the tomb. One person per table takes the handout that was just given to you. One person per table takes the handout that was just given to you. This is the foundation of a tomb. Your job is to draw an addition on to it. This is the foundation of a tomb. Your job is to draw an addition on to it. You have three minutes. You have three minutes. After three minutes, pass it to someone else at the table. After three minutes, pass it to someone else at the table. The process continues until everybody at the table has made an addition. The process continues until everybody at the table has made an addition. You can add on to someone else’s addition. You can add on to someone else’s addition.

Mastaba Sloped wall, flat roof structure meant to protect the dead. Sloped wall, flat roof structure meant to protect the dead.

Step Pyramid Essentially Mastabas placed on top of one another.

Bent Pyramid First attempt at a true pyramid shape. First attempt at a true pyramid shape.

True Pyramid Most well known – The Great Pyramid of Giza Built for Pharaoh Khufu (Cheops) around 2560 BCE. Oldest and only survivor of the original seven ancient wonders of the world. Originally around 480 feet tall.

How’d they get those huge rocks up to the top? Two theories: Two theories: A giant mud ramp was built to bring the heavier rocks higher. A giant mud ramp was built to bring the heavier rocks higher. A spiraling mud ramp that wrapped around the pyramid A spiraling mud ramp that wrapped around the pyramid

The Great Sphinx of Giza 241 feet long, 65 feet tall 241 feet long, 65 feet tall Model of face, time it was built and who built it are unknown (possibly Pharaoh Khafra) Model of face, time it was built and who built it are unknown (possibly Pharaoh Khafra) Originally thought to be a protector of the tombs Originally thought to be a protector of the tombs