Regardless of the era in which humanity is, the Egyptian architecture is still fascinating.

Bauhaus architecture: history, characteristics and examples of art and design of the iconic Bauhaus school

➥ Read article

Characterized by being intrinsically linked to the political and religious precepts of ancient Egypt, in which the pharaonic monarchies reinned with splendor, the architecture egipcia even today bewildered by several aspects:

The first of these is the precision in terms of engineering and the great ability of the artisans and workers of the time.Second, many still find surprising the abundance of carveable stone and, at the same time, the ease of creating such lasting structures in the constructions.

Table of Contents

Origins of Egyptian architecture

To study the architecture of Egypt, it is necessary to take into account its artistic and historical base.Egyptian civilization is river and agricultural.The Egyptian people developed based on the Nile River, its flood and channeling.

In turn, the movement of this important river influenced the way in which Egyptian civilization handled its crops.For their part, these agrarian cycles had their share of influence on religion, government and art of ancient Egypt.

That said, one of the main characteristics of the origin of ancient Egypt's architecture is its geometrization, which sought to represent its fields.

Likewise, the columns are directly related to some of the plants cultivated in the Nilo River.It is worth specifying the importance of the cult of the gods and the representation of "life after death", also characterized in architecture.

In addition to these aspects that give rise to Egyptian architecture, there is also the cult of pharaoh, not only as a great political figure, but even religious importance.

In Egypt, Pharaoh was more than a king, he was a god on earth.Egyptian architecture will also define different eras in the history of ancient Egypt, which is worth reviewing.

Egyptian architecture stages

Predicastic tinita

The predinasticatinite era of ancient Egypt covers both the previous period and the birth of the first pharaonic dynasties, with the first unification of the Nile country.This occurs in the year3.200 a.C.Before that unification, the era dominated in Egypt was the predinastics.

This predinestic phase laid the foundations of the great Egyptian civilization that will be formed later, thanks to the evolution of the communities that already life in Egypt.While not enough archaeological signs of its architecture are not known, this predinestic era, on the contrary, sees the birth of writing.

Prior to the unification that gave way to the dynastic era Tinita, Egypt was made up of two kingdoms: that of the High Egypt (of the High Course of the Nile) and that of Bajo Egypt (in the low course).Subsequently, a King of Alto Egypt conquers the low zone of the country, which gives rise to the unification and beginning of the I Dynasty of Menes or Scorpion.

The Egypt of the first dynasties establishes all the main elements of political and religious aspects, as well as the characteristics of Egyptian art and architecture.They are the first reigns or the diasties I and II, commonly called Tinitas dynasties, for having their origin the city of This or Tinis.The tinita era supposes the beginning of the Egyptian State organization.

As for the architecture, there is special emphasis on that of the funeral type, in which lastebas have an important transformation.These tombs, which were previously adobe and stone constructions, now they had a trunk -forming shape should be rectangular.Then, from the II dynasty, the first urban developments begin to be erected, although still with a rather archaic aspect and functionality.

Ancient empire

The period of the ancient Empire begins from the III dynasty, when Memphis is appointed as the capital of the nation.It is in this era when the pharaohs decide to replace the pyramids for their tombs.One of the most outstanding constructions of this era is Saqqara's staggered pyramid, which built the Imbotep architect, thinker and scientist for Pharaoh Zoser (C.2737-2717 a.c.).

The complex, developed in local limestone, was one of the first monumental construction of Egyptian architecture.In the ancient Empire, limestone and granite were more useful to build larger buildings to its pre -east and tinitic predecessors.

A proof of the precision and efficiency of Egyptian construction methods, is the great Gizeh pyramid.This Egyptian monument, declared as one of the seven wonders of the world, is built based on 2.3 million blocks of stone, each with a weight of more than 2 tons on average.

Middle empire

On the Middle Empire, which includes XI and XII dynasties, it is said that there are few architectural vestiges.However, one of the outstanding buildings of this era is the work in the Deir Al-Bahari, built by the Pharaoh Mentuhotep II, which pays honor to the goddess Hathor.As an outstanding feature of this funeral set, it is worth mentioning its perfect integration with the place landscape.The building, now in ruins, consisted of an upward road, temple of the valley, patio and funeral temple.

New Empire

In the new empire, Egyptian architecture sees an interesting resurgence, thanks to the good economic period that the nation lived.In this era, the predominant use of the stone and the disappearance of the wood is seen, in regards to temples constructions.The New Empire sees the inclusion of new types of columns, such as protodoric, floral and papiriforms, as well as obelisks.

Religious architecture fed a great prominence, starting from the reign of Amenhotep III.This is how the temples began to be masked preceded by sphinthly avenues that lead to a pylon, usually accompanied by two obelisks.To these structures also read great statues of the king and banners to represent aldios.Some of these temples had lakes that represented the first.

The temple of Karnak, Egypt, can be cited as one of the representations of this type of buildings, which was then expanded by several successive kings.

Types of architecture

Imperishable architecture

This type of architecture had the durability of and with it it was pursued that the buildings will endure for eternity.Within this type of Egyptian architecture are religious constructions and funeral monuments.Thanks to this type of architecture and the materials used, it is still possible to see imperishable buildings, mostly tombs withdrawn from the main centers of the cities of Egypt.

Perishable architecture

It was the type of architecture for the construction of civil works, such as buildings in urbanisms, palaces and houses of ancient Egypt.The fact of being perishable construction did not mean that good quality materials were not used.This also did not affect care and construction performance.However, these types of buildings did suffer from time, so there are currently very few that can be seen standing.

Elements that make up the Egyptian architecture

Egyptian architecture takes its elements that make up Egyptian art, where it obtains great part of its influence.That said, the main aspects that come to compose the architectureagipcia, are:

Characteristics of Egyptian architecture

The Egyptian architecture was very influenced by the environment in which it was built, understanding therefore the space and natural characteristics of Egypt.Having this as a reference, the characteristics of Egyptian architecture are as follows:

Types of supports

Already in depth the Egyptian architecture, it is necessary to have the constructive elements of the same.Starting with Lossoportes, the Egyptian architecture includes the simplest types of support, these being the wall, the pillar, eldintel and the Egyptian column.

Walls

In Egyptian architecture, the walls come to form the walls of the different buildings.Its main function is to close the building.As for the materials and techniques used for this type, it highlights the adobe brick, as well as masonry and masonry.

The ashlars are generally intended for the temples of Egyptian architecture, which are composed of perpendicular faces blocks.The most noble technique of the three is the masonry.An example of this construction technique can be seen in the pyramids of Keops, Kefren and Menkaura, which are built by huge ashlars.

For its part, the masonry is used for the construction of adobe women of the Egyptian houses.This type of mixture is made of conpiedras without roughing;Similar to the ashlar technique, so it connects different sizes with mud or cement.

As for the adobe technique, it is said that it is the least noble in Lastres, since it allows buildings to be built in less time, compromising the quality of the finishing.For this reason, the Egyptian workers spotted layers of stucco decorated on adobe walls, to improve the appearance of the work.

Pillars

It is the least used support in Egyptian buildings.There is only registration of its use in the architectural works of the ancient empire and then in the new empire.The chanted rectangular plant pillar is the most watched.However, the Osiriaco pillar also has some prominence, especially in the Middle Empire.The latter is a square section pillar with the statue of the Osiris god attached to one of its faces, with the investiture of Pharaoh.

Dinteles

These supports are intended for imperishable works, so it can be seen a lot in Egyptian temples.An Egyptian lintel is the horizontal block of a door or window, sustained by the jambas.An example are the attached lintels to the Kefren pyramid, of the IV dynasty.Another variant of the lintel is the Egyptian arch;But this was used for second or third row constructions.One of the most modern buildings near Múxor has windows and vaulted doors.

Columns

They are the most common support the Egyptian structures, which are given a colossal character.These columns required large engineering knowledge and a very experienced technique.

For the construction of the most important support of the Egyptian architecture, the workers began the bases of the columns filling the empty spaces between them with adobe, until reaching the meter high.Then, the same procedure was repeated to complete another meter in the column, and so on, until the structure ends.At the end of the column, the adobe was removed and then carving the columns with different motoglyphic motifs, giving them color, or molding them according to any of the specific shapes of the types of columns used by the Egyptians and that are detailed later.

Partes de las columnas

The Egyptian columns serigen for the basic structure of three parts, these being the capitel, thefuste and the base.

Types of columns

The Egyptian columns are among the most varied, each with a particular design that, depending on its function, could even enhance the beauty of the building.Among the different types of Egyptian columns, are the following.

Monóstila column

It is a smooth shaft structure, which shows in its capitel the shape of a closed papyrus flower.This column model is typical of the new empire.

Lotiform column

The Lotiforme column presents the beginning of the slightly bulbous and fastel shaft (with details of the semicircular lotus flower).The capitel on the other hand, has a lotus flower shape with the closed cocoon.These columns were used in civil buildings and temples of the old empire.

Palmiform column

The palmiform column has a smooth shaft and a capitel with open depalmera leaves.The funeral complex of some present this type of columns, however, were used very occasionally, and only from the vdinasty.

Campaniform column

It is a type of column that includes different varieties of flower pillars, among which are square, grooved and circular shape.The shape of the flower was located in the capitel.An example of this type of columns are those that can be seen in the Dekarnak Temple, specifically in the Hall of Annals of Pharaoh Tutmosis III.

Papiriform column

There are two types of papiriform columns: open and closed.The open column presents a smooth shaft in which hieroglyphy inscriptions are seen, with open papyrus flower -shaped capitel.Saqqara buildings have this type of columns.While the closed papiriform column has a fasciculated and capitel shaft with the shape of a closed papyrus flower.

Protodoric column

The protodoric column, also called as a cliff column, has a chanted shaft without capitel.Generally, it presents stems of gruged ocap plants.They were used in the ancient empire and the new empire and can be seen in the Zoser Pharaoh enclosure.

Hatoric column

Called in this way, since they represent the goddess Hathor in capitel.Another feature of these columns is that they carried the fusteliso.It is one of the most common types of columns, being present in the temples dedicated to the goddess Hathor, specifically in the Dendera temple or the Nefertari temple in Abu Simbel.Interestingly, the use of this type of decolumn is linked to the use of the Sista (the musical instrument of the goddess and processions to the goddess Hathor).

Tent column

Known as "poles" column, because it was a stone representation of the type of wood from the same name.This wood in the same time, was used as a support point for the structures of some sentences.This type of column was not so common, so it can only be in the temple of Pharaoh Tutmosis III, in Karnak.

Cylindrical column

They are columns without capitel, with circular and smooth shaft, so they are easier among the variety of Egyptian columns.

Conical column

Represents the coniferous tree in the capitel.They were used in the complex lamp belonging to Djoser.

Striated column

It is a column that presents stretch marks or grooves at the shaft.Usually, these types of columns were built with very complex capitals as to its shape.

Osiríca or Osiriaca column

One of the most monumental in terms of structure and ornaments, presenting to the god Osiris on the front surface.It has its origin in the Middle Empire and is a column that becomes part of another architectural element.They can be seen in the Hatshepsut temple in Deir El-Bahari and Abu Simbel's.

Types of capital

As mentioned above, the capitals and their forms were an essential part of the aesthetics of the Egyptian columns.The types of capital are detailed below.

Protodoric capitel

This type of capitel has no design, since it belongs to the columnaprotodoric or aradalada, which has a closed and straight shaft, a characteristic that prevents design in the capitel.

Compound or complex capitel

It is one of the capitals with the most complex and intricate design, which presents different flowers of flowers, sometimes in combination with other architectural elements.

Hatoric or hatchoric capitel

This capitel represents the bust of the goddess Hathor on the shaft.

Lotiform capitel

The Lotiforme Capitel presents the design of a lotocompleterly closed flower.

Osiríco or Osiriaco capitel

Similar to the chapter, this capitel also presents the bust of a God, in this case the God Osiris.

Palmiform capitel

Also one of the capitals that stand out for its complex design, in which an open palm is represented.

Papiriform capitel

As with the papiriform column, the papiriform capitel has two types: open and closed.The open is the shape of an open papyrus, while the closed one has the shape of a closed papyrus.

Materials used in constructions

The materials that used the Egyptian in their constructions were wood, stone and adobe, mainly.Wood was stolen from some tree species such as datile palm tree, tamarind, acacias and sicomoros.Papyri and reeds were also used, which ended up being the reason for constructions, when using the stone.

Most of the woods destined for large -real buildings were imported from the Middle East.Wood was used for the construction of ceilings, floors and wall coverings.The stone came from the quarries adjacent to the Nilo River, however, as soon as it begins, it is brought from other places, using precisely the Nile to serotransported.

But, of these three materials without a doubt the most used is adobe.Not only was she employed for temples construction, but it was also used for kings palaces.This material is quite frequent in the great walls that protect palaces, cities and strengths.One of the greatest advantages of adobe is its ownership of thermal insulator, which came very well to the buildings of Egypt to protect themselves from the strong daytime and cold of the nights, characteristic of such an arid climate.

Types of constructions

The Egyptian constructions were divided into three ochergories classifications: the civil construction that included homes, the religious monuments, among which the temples were counted, and finally and perhaps important, the funeral monuments, with the pyramids, mastabas ehypogee.

Households

The homes belonged to the Egyptian civil constructions, so they were not so relevant as religious monuments and the funerals.It is for this reason, that it also enters the classification of perishable constructions.The materials that seused for these constructions were brick and adobe.ComoSecuence, there are no archaeological records of these homes, beyond the references that have been obtained from the reliefs of other buildings.

Características de las viviendas

Egyptian housing was constituted, in general terms, by several rooms arranged around a large living room with columns.I could also have terraces, underground wineries and a garden in a patio.This in a single entry quadrangular structure.On the other hand, the homes of the highest classes also had an exclusive space for the service.The best preserved housing remains are located in Deir El-Medina and Tell el-Amarna.

Some homes also possessed an inner courtyard from which the light comes, with all the rooms around it and without winding to protect the heat from the heat.The homes belonging to the cities of workers are generally built close to the pyramids.

As for the homes of the pharaohs, or the Egyptian palaces, the characteristics vary greatly from the typical house.The Delfaraon residence was normally located on the outskirts of the city and was built with more resistant materials compared to common housing.I had a reception room among its rooms.Nor could "the window of the appearances", from which the pharaoh could appear so that his subjects could see him.Another feature of the Pharaoh palaces are their gardens, in which even wild animals could be found.

Jardines

Both in the modes, as in the palaces of the kings, there were gardens.At the end of the predinastic period (3.000A.C.), there were already rectangular housing with a patio in which Eljardín was available.Generally, the gardens of the common housing are located endirection to the north, in the shadow.High class families could afford some luxuries in their gardens, such as swimming pools, courts and different paradistant areas types of plants.

As a general characteristic of the gardens of the typical Egyptian housing, this is composed of a first -free roof and trees.Then, at the same time, a second patio comes with more trees, which give shadow and fruits.These types of gardens are distinctive from the Amarna era.

Some historians say that the Egyptians of the time gave a very peculiar use to their gardens, because according to Egyptian culture it was where lovers were known.As for the plants cultivated in these domestic gardens, these were more functional than decorative.So that the Egyptians cultivated in their own gardens flowers of poppy, apples, datile palm trees, olives, coriander, beans, and even essences for perfumes and also wood.

The gardens of the pharaohs were much more exquisite, with court for official meetings, receptions and relaxation.These gardens were nests from mud brick, so they have disappeared.

Religious monuments

The monuments dedicated to religion were one of the most important buildings in ancient Egypt and were also important for society.That is why this type of constructions did not cease, during all the Periods of Ancient Egypt.

Templos más importantes

Among the most representative temples of Egyptian architecture, there are at least 6 buildings that stand out for their structure, functionality and cultural significance.These are the temple of Karnak and Luxor, that of Abu Simbel and that of Kom Ombo, as well as those of Filae and Edfú.

ABU SIMBEL temple

One of these temples is Abu Simbel.It is made up of two main buildings (one dedicated to Nefertari and the other to Ramses II), excavated in a rock.Built in the reign of Ramses (1279-1213 to.C), this temple took approximately 20 years to be built.

This complex is located in Nubia and because of its importance for the history of Egypt, it has been declared a World Heritage for Unescoen 1979.The temple dedicated to the cult of Ramses as a God and other deities as Amun, RA and PTAH, was discovered by the Swiss explorer Burkhard, in 1813 and then finished excavating by Giovanni Battista Belzoni, in 1817.

El templo mayor, o GranABU SIMBEL temple posee una fachada de 33 metros de alto y tiene cuatroestatuas representativas del faraón Ramsés II.The inner part of this temple has the general disposition of the temples of ancient Egypt, but with a more complex signructure of side chambers.

For its part, the minor temple dedicated to Nefertari is located at the major.It has four statues in Ramses II and two Denefertari, with an entrance that leads to a room of six central columns.Los Capitles of these columns have the bust of the goddess Hathor sculpted in them.One of the Salas, that of the East, shows scenes of Ramses and his wife Neeferti offering their sacrifices to the gods.

Temple of Mouxor

Ubicado en Tebas, el Temple of Mouxor fue edificado por las dinastías XVIII y XIX, específicamente por los faraones Amenhotep III y Ramsés II.This temple, dedicated to Ammon, God of the wind, was built in its inner part by Amenhotep III.Then, Ramses II culminated the project by adding the colossi, the obelisks and the facade.

The enclosure is about 260 meters long and was communicated with Karnak's time through the Avenida de las Espinges, a road with more 600 spaces with ram heads.However, it can only be seen on the beginning of said avenue.He was declared a World Heritage in 1979 by UNESCO, as part of the ancient team thebes with its necropolis.

That temple, is dedicated to KA or progenitor force of the god Amun, in his appearance of ammon-min.This building was a main element of religious urbanism of the city of Thebes, as well as for the family theology.

Karnak temple

It is one of the famous Egyptian temples for being the greatest, dedicated to the god ammon.Has a perimeter of 2.400 meters and is surrounded by a large adobe wall 8 meters thick.It consists of three separate centers or buildings, where the largest is the sanctuary of Amón.To the left of the sanctuary is the sanctuary of Montu, the God of War, in a quadrilateral of two and a half hectares.On the right side of the central sanctuary, another sanctuary dedicated to Amón's wife, the goddess Mut is located.

This construction is the most colossal of ancient Egypt, in which it highlights its large hypostilade room 102 meters wide and 53 meters deep.Only this room has 134 columns of 23 meters high, decorated with the names of the deities to which the pharaoh presented its offerings.The capitals of these columns formed papiros book.

It is said that during the XIX dynasty, 81.322 people among workers, guardians, peasants and priests, worked for this great temple of Amun.With all the remodeling made by the pharaohs that happened to Amenophisiii, the enclosure ended up being an architectural complex of four courtyards, ten pylons, numerous buildings and a sacred lake of 120 meters in length.

Kom Ombo temple

This temple was erected near the year 180 to.C.Under the reign of Ptolemy XIII.It is a double dedication temple, since it honors the god soverek of Cocodrilo and Haroeris, the God who had a hawk -shaped head of Horus.

The enclosure is located on the banks of the Nile, between Edfú and Asuan.The temple's rooms were built by Ptolemy XIII, while the patio and the outer walls were built by the Roman Emperor Trajan.Being a double dedication temple was designed symmetrically, presenting sanctuaries on each side, as well as two parallel corridors that lead alexterior of the temple.

The great attractiveness of Stetemplo is its external hypostyle room, which has 15 columns with capitalsflorals and a cornice of winged carved ones.These columns are adorned portresentations of the Heraldic Lirio of Alto Egypt and the Papyrus of the Nile Delta.

PHILAE OR FILAE temple

Dedicated to the goddess Isis and located on the banks of the Nile, this temple is known as the pearl of the Nile, for its unique beauty.In this complex, the ISIS sanctuary stands out, which was then remodeled by the Roman emperors, as well as the Trajan's kiosk and the door of Adriano, of the Roman era.This temple also has a sanctuary dedicated to the goddess Hathor and is cordoned off by the Pylons that give entry to the complex.

EDFU temple

Also known as the temple of Horus, it was started to build by Ptolemy III Evuergetes I, in the year 237 to.C.and finished in the year 57 to.C.This enclosure is the most important in religious temples, after karnak.It has a length of 137 meters and 79 meters wide, 36 meters high.

This building represents the typical Egyptian religious construction, with a pylon, a courtyard, 2 hypostyla rooms, an offerings chamber, the Santa and the Central Chamber and the Central Chamber.Between its columns and the ceiling, it has small openings that allow the passage of light to some rooms and is organized to the south.

Características de los templos

For the Egyptians, the Templo was the house of the gods.And therefore, they should be really representative of each god.While in the predination era were simple arched roof chapels, in the first dynasties the temples of adobe are seen.In the ancient empire they begin to see monumental structures.But the most important temples arise in the new empire.

Tipos de templos

Among the types of Egyptian temples, is the following classification:

Speos

It is a construction in a steep terrain, which has the function of serving as a funeral temple.It was underground, perforated in the rock.The most representative funeral construction of this type is that of Ramses II, in Abu Simbel.

Hemispeos

It is a partially excavated temple in the rock, with one of its parts outdoors.The other part is carved inside the mountain.This temple fulfills double function, funeral home and religious temple.An example is the temple of Queen Hatshepsut.

Solar

This temple is dedicated to the god of sun ra, and aims not only to represent it, but to offer ceremonies and rituals to the living power of the sun as deity.These discovered temples had their structure composed around the great rectangular pillar "Benben".The structure culminates in a pyramidon that precedes the obelisks, as symbology of the primary column, the deity nun.In front of this structure, there was a sanctuary to perform the rituals.

Tipos de templo de acuerdo a la dedicación

According to the dedication, the Egyptian temples are classified as enheliopolitanos and classics.

Heliopolitan temple

Within this categories they include the temples dedicated to the god sun ra.This type of buildings date from the Empireantiguo, where the "Temple of Abusir" stands out.Later, during the imperionevo, these temples are syncretized with the enclosures dedicated to ammon or stunned, in the Tel-el-Amarna.

Classic Temple

It is the temple that was dedicated to one or more gods and the fortified enclosures were erected.Examples of this type of temples are the dekarnak and the louxor.

TEMPLES STRUCTURE

In general, these are the parts of an Egyptian temple:

Each temple is surrounded by a great wall.Another notable feature that the height of the temple varies as it goes into it, to the same time that decreases the luminosity.The sanctuaries are the places with the lowest cover.As for the ground, this sits in a growing slope, as the temple is progressing.

Regarding the distribution of the rooms, some were residences for priests, others served as libraries and some were classrooms for scribes.There were also food stores and other materials.

Funeral monuments

These monuments were considered as the cults of the pharaooneegipcios, while they were an important part of the rigorous ritual to which they semi -sustained to reach the other life, after death.

Funeral monuments más importantes

Among many funeral monuments in the architecture ofgipcia, the ones that highlight the most are the temples of Queen Hatshepsut and the Kingams II, the pyramid of Zoser and the funeral set of Gizeh.

Queen Hatshepsut Temple

Located in Dair-Al-Bahari, or the Valley of the Kings, this funeral temple was built by Queen Hatshepsut, of the XVIII dynasty, during the New Empire.

The enclosure represented for the goddess a great demonstration of her power, necessary at a time when the queens were not well seen by their soup, quite the opposite of the high male hierarchs.Located in the vicinity of the Mentuhotep temple, the queen's complex was built in a staggered way to be able to adjust wings of the land of the valley.Even part of the structure is excavated in the rock.

As for the aesthetic characteristics, it is worth noting that he possesses hathoric capitals, since the temple is dedicated to the goddess Hathor.This enclosure was also known as the Temple of Terrace.

Ramesseum

Located in The Necropolis of Thebes, in front of the city of Lúxor, this funeral temple belongs to Ramses II, Pharaoh of the XIX dynasty.

Following the construction canons of the funeral temples, the new delimerium, this structure stands out by a first patio, a real palace, another smaller and larespective patio hypostyle, next to other rooms.A feature remains of this temple, are the 48 bell -columns, of which 39 are still standing.

The sanctuary of this building is made up of three -year -old executives.He also had a temple dedicated to the mother of Ramses II, yours, located to the north and adjacent to the Hypostila Hall, in which there was a state of the queen of just over 2 meters high.The enclosure owned alms, workshops, barns and other auxiliary buildings.All the structured found surrounded by a large adobe wall, which began in the pylonosuroriental.

Zoser pyramid

This is one of the first pyramids of which you have a record, and it is one of the most important Egyptian funeral architecture constructions.Built in the period between 1665-1645 to.C.In the III dynasty, by the illustrious architect and philosopher Imhotep, in Saqqara, it is the sample of a funerary complex.

From this period, the brick was replaced as the main construction material by the stone.The structure has funerary doubles, one next to the pyramid, to which the pharaoh family and priests had access.The other temple was next to the river and it was called MEMPLE DEL VALLE.In him, the coffin was from where the body of the pharaoh came to the second temple and later to the great pyramid, through a vaulted hallway.This complex includes several mastabas, intended for the pharaoh family.

Gizeh funeral set

This set represents the funeral enclosure par excellence of the Egyptians: the classic pyramid.The Gizeh complex gathers the widely known pyramids of the pharaohs Keops, Kefrén and Menkaura, all belonging to the IV dynasty.

The style of this square base pyramid and refined shapes, is the banner of the advances of Egyptian architecture.Its main characteristic is the orientation of its faces towards a enespecific cardinal point.On the other hand, the well -delineated edges are representations of the rays of the Sun God, ra.The outer faces were covered with limestone and paint.

Each of the pyramids of this complex owned other morepechean or mastabas pyramids, for the relatives of each pharaoh.

Now, studying one of these three pyramids, it is obtained that Keops (2579-2556 a.C.), has a height of 146 meters.It has three funeral chambers, of which it is said that only one is the real and needed a period of 30 years to be built in its entirety.

For its part, the Kefrén Pyramid (2547-2521 to.C.), Successor of Pharaoh Keops, is located next to his father's pyramid and has a height of 143 meters.To the pyramid of Kefrén belongs the famous sphinx of Giza, as a portrait of the pharaoh.It is understood as the definition of Sphinx, the piece that symbolizes the alparaon cult as God, by representing it as an anthropomorphic figure withhuman head and body of León.The Sphinx, built in stone, is surrounded by the funeral temple.

Finally, there is the Menkaura pyramid (2514-2486.C.), about 66 meters high, belonging to the successor of Pharaoh Kefrén.This pyramid was coated condiecises of pink granite, from the Canteras of Asuán.The restoration rest was of limestone blocks of tura.

Clasificación de los monumentos funerarios

The funeral monuments also had their own classification according to the characteristics, which were given by the time when they were dividing, dividing into three types of Egyptian tombs: mastabas, pyramids and hypogee.

Mastabas

They are the first funeral constructions and date from the Protodinastic period of Egypt.It is understood as a definition of mastaba, a type of truncated pyramid with rectangular base, which had a small room and a chapel.It also had a underground mortuary chamber, which was sealed once the body was deposited and to which you had access through a well from the roof.

A large Egyptian mastaba could have up to 50 cameras, between warehouses and chapels.They were added a room or serdab, where a statue on behalf of the pharaoh.One of the mastabas cheeses in its kind is that of IDU, in Gizeh.It is also possible to mention the Mastabade Mereruka, located in Saqqara.

Pyramids

Pyramids are a more complete and complex funeral set, which arises in the reign of Pharaoh Zoser, of the III dynasty.Then they have a resurgence in the Middle Empire, built with adobe bricks and lined with stone.Subsequently, the best known and stylized pyramids are built, during the XXV dynasty.The design of the staggered pyramid of Egypt is made up of several overlapping mastabas.

Some of them had a double slope, such as the Pyramid Deseferu, which gave way to the smooth pyramids later.These constructions were composed of different cameras and halls that were closed, once the pharaoh was signed.Thus his remains was protected, but also his iquezas, so that they would last together with the king until eternity.Most popular liapiramids are those of the Gizeh whole, belonging to the Keops, Kefren and Menkaura..

Hypogee

What is a hypogeo?The Egyptian hypogeo is a funerary construction characteristic of the Middle Empire.They are a set of open galleries in the rock that lead to the Sarcophagus Chamber.Additionally they have some annexes.They replaced the mastabas in the XI dynasty and lasts to the new empire, in which they were more used.

They were tombs excavated in the rock, which began to be built in an intention of protecting the riches of the pharaohs of the continuous looting that the pyramids.It was a construction that had as main objective the tombs of the pharaohs and their belongings.Among them stands out the hypogeo of the Valley of the Kings in Dexor.In this town there are 28 pharaohons that have been buried in a period of 420 years.

Características de los monumentos funerarios

Funeral constructions, indistinctly of their kind, are usually composed in the way:

This provision can vary according to the type of funeral construction.Thus, in some of them you can find a large southern patio and another HEB-SEED.

Theories about pyramid construction techniques

One of the most important questions in universal history that still has no answer is how the pyramids of Egypt were built.

There are many historians, engineers, philosophers and archaeologists who have opined for years on possible forms used by the Egyptians for the building of the pyramids.However, at some point all these theories have been disqualified.

One of the theories that for a long time seemed to be the most logical on the method of building the pyramid of Egyptian society, is the one based on Herodotus' writings.

Described in detail the construction of the Great Pyramid of Gizeh.In his documents, he emphasizes that it was built in 20 years, thanks to the work of 3.000 slave workers.

Herodotus said that the pyramid consisted of several heights, in which pulleys were placed.In this way each of the stones moved, which, when reached at a height, were propelled by the pulley of that level to the next and thus, in succession.

What Herodoto did not detail was the absence of this type of construction tool at the time when the pyramids were built.

Another of the best known theories indicates that the external and visible blocks were fitted, then the internal blocks were released and the hollow spaces with stone were filled.

The blocks climbed on exterior ramps, using a system that resembles a wheelbarrow or wheel base, which pulled pulleys helped by levers.

As he gained greater height, the finished parts were covered, to reaffirm the earrings and the ground.

Subsequently, the ramps were discarded over time, not being absolutely anchored to the surface of the pyramid.This is one of the most likely theories and that helped rule out another theory that proposed the use of a single ramp, which ascended from the base of the pyramid, in a straight line.

Another of the last theories that aims to respond to the construction of the pyramids is that of the Frenchman Jean Pierre Houdin, who states that the ramps existed, but inside the pyramid and spiral -shaped.

According to the Frenchman, this internal ramp system facilitated construction, saving efforts and the use of pulleys.With this method, Houdin also warns a couple of construction challenges.The first was to build the pyramid after the funeral chamber.

His response to this is that the Egyptians have probably used exterior ramps to build the lowest heights.From there, then the second phase of the construction came, with the use of the spiral internal ramp, from which the stone blocks moved.

Each corner of the ramp was subsequently covered.Houdin states that counterweights had to be used to raise the upper blocks of the funeral chamber.

Another theory that lately has gained many followers is the idea that pyramids were built with the intervention of superior superterrestrial beings.This since it is not explained how they were built in a time devoid of today's technologies and that, at the same time, they required a great level of mathematical knowledge.

Undoubtedly, Egyptian architecture was not only very advanced to its time in terms of engineering, but also presents a mystical air, in which many elements are combined.

The main factor is its religious aspect, which denoted discipline, devotion and beauty.Another important aspect is the monumentality that gives it the relevance of which it still presumes today.And the last, and not least, the vast mathematical knowledge, from which the source is not yet obtained.

After all, it may be this element, apparently unknown to humanity, which continues to give life to Egyptian architectural works, even after death.

Rate this content

Score: 4.6/5.Votes: 23

Recommended content

Thus the greatest literary deception in history was born and uncontrolled

These are the 10 most effective strategies to lose weight according to a study by the University of Oxford

Gibbeting, the cruel English castigo that was used to set an example

Global warming brought to light incredible findings under ice [video]

The last

Internet addiction disorder

Military campaigns: Background, regions and images of the main military war operations

Authors of romanticism: the 35 writers of the most outstanding romanticism and their most representative works

Bridges of Spain: characteristics and images of the 30 most impressive Spanish bridges

Neoliberal Economic Model: What is, characteristics, principles and theories of economic neoliberalism

Cat Eye Nebula or NGC 6543: What is, characteristics (age, composition ...) and better images

Others are seeing ...

How to be hacker from scratch.Complete guide, tips and resources for beginners

These are the most expensive clothing brands in the world

200 famous motivating phrases that will make you want to eat the world

The 10 most incredible tattoos of celebrities and their meanings