Egyptian Art Kingdoms and Architecture

Location Egypt is located in Northern Africa

The Egyptians People from Western Asia, related to present day Egyptians Began a powerful civilization 5,000 years ago

How Egypt Became Powerful Nile river flooded its banks every year Rich soil was up to 9m deep People could grow crops and did not need to hunt Families grew large Groups grew strong and took over others

Kingdoms Egyptian rule began 3,000 BC and lasted for 3,000 years. History of Egypt is divided into periods called Kingdoms (Old, Middle, New) Further divided into times when the same family ruled called Dynasties Reign ended with the death of a Pharaoh and crowning of someone from the same family - to keep the blood “pure”

This period began around 2686 B.C. and ended about 500 years later The most powerful period When the pyramids were built The Old Kingdom

Built for religious purposes. (Resurrection, Ka, God-like Pharaoh, Sarcophagus)

Not very much space inside, multiple entrances

This is bread that is 4000 years old.

Step Pyramids are mastabas stacked on one another. The final form was the pyramid. First bodies were buried in pits in the sand, then they were placed in raised graves called Mastabas.

Theory of Building Thousands of slaves Decades to build Floated rocks from cliffs along the Nile 2.3 million blocks of stone Each weighting over 2 tonnes Hauled using sand ramps 13 acres 150 m high

Earth ramps to haul blocks

Questions Describe the pyramids Define: Ka, Sarcophagus, Re Describe the burial process. What were the Egyptians religious beliefs Why did they put fake passages in the pyramids? Explain how the pyramid shape evolved. (4 steps) How were the pyramids built? What kingdom were the pyramids made?