Ancient Egyptian Architecture

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About 2,000 years ago, ancient

scholars and historians identified
the greatest artistic and
architectural achievements of
human civilization. They called
these the Seven Wonders of the
World. Today we refer to them as
the Seven Wonders of the Ancient
World, since they were built in
ancient times and all but one has
since been destroyed. The
surviving “wonder” is the Great
Pyramid of Giza. It is one of many Stepped pyramids, like this one built for Pharaoh
Djoser, are the oldest remaining memorial buildings
architectural achievements that in the world.
make Egypt a fascinating place.

Studying the architecture of ancient Egypt helps us learn more about the culture of
ancient Egyptians, including their religious beliefs, construction techniques, and use
of natural resources.

The Old Kingdom and the Great Pyramids (2575–2130 BCE)

Ancient Egyptians believed that life on Earth was only temporary and that death
passed them into a new, permanent life. It is for this reason that everyday houses
and palaces were built of timber and sunbaked bricks—they weren’t expected to last
very long. On the other hand, burial tombs were built with stone. During the flooding
season, when the Nile’s waters washed over land, massive blocks of stone were
floated out to building sites. Many of the stone pyramids survive to this day. They
were designed as the resting places for wealthy Egyptians. They contained preserved
dead bodies and treasures that could be enjoyed in the afterlife.

The earliest and simplest form of an Egyptian burial tomb was the mastaba, which
was used beginning around 3100 BCE. Mastabas were rectangular stone buildings
that covered burial pits. They had flat tops and slanted walls. Over time, mastabas
became larger to include multiple tombs, storerooms, and chapels.

The mastaba became the basis for the stepped pyramid, such as the one made for
Pharaoh Djoser (around 2650–2575 BCE). Djoser’s pyramid (see photo) is made of
six steps. The total structure is nearly 200 feet tall. Djoser’s
stepped pyramid was designed by the architect Imhotep. He was the earliest
architect that we know by name. Following Djoser, pharaohs planned greater tombs
to surpass the glory of the “new” stepped pyramid.

 
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  Ancient Egyptian Architecture
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Not all attempts to build new pyramids were successful. For example, a pyramid
built during the reign of Pharaoh Snefru (around 2575–2130 BCE), has a lower
section that inclines at 54 degrees and a top section that inclines at 43 degrees. It is
named the Bent Pyramid because of the resulting off-center appearance.
Archaeologists think that the builders
had to change their tactics mid-
construction in order to make a more
stable pyramid. During Snefru’s reign,
Egyptians perfected pyramid
construction when they built the Red
Pyramid. The Red Pyramid is known as
the first true pyramid because of its
smooth sides, square base, and
geometric measurements.

The Great Pyramids of Giza, the most

recognizable in the world, are also true
pyramids. Each has a square base and an
incline of 52 degrees. The three largest
were built as tombs for Snefru’s
successors. Each pyramid lines up with
the points of a compass (north, south,
east, and west). Their entrances were all
on their northern faces, and they had
temples along their eastern sides.
This photo clearly shows two of the three
Great Pyramids. Unlike the earlier
stepped pyramids, these are shaped as
true pyramids. The entire field of
pyramids at Giza is noted as a World
Heritage site by UNESCO.

The largest Egyptian pyramid is known as the Great Pyramid. It was built in honor of
Pharaoh Khufu, the son of Snefru. Soaring 481 feet, Khufu’s pyramid is an ancient
skyscraper! It is the height of a 30-story modern building. Although this pyramid
was meant to be Khufu’s tomb, his body was never found there. The inside of the
tomb has passageways and three chambers: an underground chamber, the Queen’s
Chamber in the middle, and the Grand Gallery, which leads into the King’s Gallery,
at the top. Egyptologists believe this amazing structure was built in less than 30
years.

Among the Pyramids of Giza is a giant statue known as the Great Sphinx. This figure
of a lion with a human’s head was carved from solid limestone. Buried up to the
shoulders in desert sand for years, the Great Sphinx was not fully excavated until
1925. It is 260 feet long and taller than a six-story building. The Great Sphinx is
perhaps the largest statue in the world made from a monolith, or single piece of
stone. Scholars believe it was carved to protect the pharaohs in their tombs nearby.

 
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  Ancient Egyptian Architecture
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The Middle Kingdom and Rock-Cut Tombs (1938–1630 BCE)

Apparently, the Sphinx did not do a great job protecting the tombs! The tombs were
constantly looted by grave robbers who wanted the gold and riches buried with the
No one knows for sure who ordered the Great
Sphinx to be built. Over time, the Great Sphinx
lost its nose and pharaoh’s beard. A detailed
fragment of the beard is on display at the British
Museum.
afterlife—was like during the Middle Kingdom.
pharaohs. During the Middle
Kingdom, the architecture of ancient
Egypt reflected the need to keep tombs
safe from thieves. During this period,
Egyptian Pharaohs tried to outsmart
the thieves by building tombs in the
limestone cliffs overlooking the Nile.
Among columns, rooms, and chapels,
organized in a maze-like layout, the
archaeological site Beni Hasan hid 39
tombs that were cut out of the rock.
Rock-cut tombs were both difficult to
access from the outside and easy to get
lost and trapped in once inside.
Visitors can still visit Beni Hasan today
and imagine what life—and the

The New Kingdom and the Valley of the Kings (1539–1075 BCE)
During the New Kingdom, pharaohs developed a new strategy to prevent tomb
thefts. They selected a distant and isolated spot among desert mountains for their
burial tombs. They hid their tombs in the bases of mountains and hills, often
building right into the mountain. These tombs were not pyramids but temples. The
most famous belonged to the Boy King, King Tutankhamen.

The Valley of the Kings is also home to several ancient temples, including the
temples at Luxor and Karnak. Both temples were built to honor Amon-Re, the king
of the Egyptian gods. A temple was considered the home of a god. To honor the gods
and their own accomplishments, many Pharaohs added new construction to the
temples over time.

At Luxor, an obelisk—a type of pointed monument—stands in front of the pylon,

which is a tall outside wall. Most ancient Egyptian people never saw past the pylon
and obelisk; the general public was not allowed inside. King Ramses II added
carvings to the entrance pylon telling of his great battles. Lining the road to the
Luxor Temple are rows of small sphinx statues. This is called the Avenue of
Sphinxes, and it connected Luxor Temple and Karnak Temple, two miles away.

 
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It is clear that ancient Egyptian

architecture evolved over time.
Egyptian pyramids were
perfected through trial and
error. Tombs, once visible to all,
were tucked away in rocky cliffs
and the desert for security. New
Kingdom pharaohs constructed
temples using new building
features. Despite all these
changes, one thing remained
constant: ancient Egyptian
structures consistently reflected Celebrating god Amon-Re, Luxor Temple hosted
the deeply held religious beliefs the Festival of Opet. The festival lasted 14–23
of the people. The architecture days.
left behind by the ancient
Egyptians were truly wonders of the ancient world, and they remain wonders today—
inspiring modern people to learn more about the culture and beliefs of ancient
Egypt.

 
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After reading the passage, answer the following questions:

1. Which type of Egyptian structure did Imhotep design?

A. mastaba
B. stepped pyramid
C. true pyramid
D. temple

2. What makes a pyramid, like the Pyramids of Gaza, a “true” pyramid?

A. It has smooth sides and a square base.
B. It has a rectangular base and a flat top.
C. Its entrance is on the east side.
D. Its incline is precisely 43 degrees.

3. Based on the reading, which of the following statements is true?

A. Egyptian pharaohs were required to study architecture to help with
pyramid design.
B. Egyptian pharaohs did not believe in a god or group or gods.
C. Egyptian pharaohs were not willing to spend money on
architecture.
D. Egyptian pharaohs were very concerned with their afterlife.

4. It is clear that Egyptian pharaohs went to great lengths to protect their

tombs. Describe some of these strategies. Which strategy do you think was
the most effective? Provide details from the passage to support your
answer.

 
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