Pyramid construction in Egypt
Pyramid construction in Egypt
The Egyptian pyramids are a kind of sacred construction and can be regarded as a symbol of kingship and ruling. Starting from the predynastic period, they have been used as tombs and memories of the great kings for thousand years. Besides, they are a kind connection between pharaohs and deities. These ancient pyramids enclosed physical death and celebrated spiritual rebirth. Many of them still stand at different parts of Egypt today waiting for us get to know the stories they have going through these years. The most basic elements of pyramids can be seen in the extreme case, tombs in Lower Nubia (A-group), which consisted of pits sunk into the ground and covered by a ceiling of sandstone slabs. They are built on a mound of debris encased in drystone masonry. Pottery can also be found at the base of the mounds, and some of the mounds had been constructed specially to offer places on the west and south sides. Then how about those huger pyramids at Giza? They are built on gigantic scale with more complex versions of the same basic scheme. Most of these grandiose pyramid complexes consisted of some standard elements like major pyramid, satellite pyramid, queens’ pyramids, mortuary temple, causeway and valley temple, which are clear from a survey of the remains of complexes along a stretch of the Nile Valley from Abu Roash and Medium. (Mark Lehner, The complete Pyramids, 18) Each major pyramid was a tomb for the king, which could be reached through a maze of tunnels. Also, in the southwest area of the complex were stone replicas of structures used in the sed-celebration. In the great courtyard, boundary markers indicated where the king had to make his ceremonial run to mark his territorial claims. Satellite pyramid and queens’ pyramids are for the close servants and queens separately. Besides, the mortuary temple, sitting on the north side of the pyramid, is a temple to maintain the dead king’s cult. (Marc Van De Mieroop, A History
The Egyptian pyramids are a kind of sacred construction and can be regarded as a symbol of kingship and ruling. Starting from the predynastic period, they have been used as tombs and memories of the great kings for thousand years. Besides, they are a kind connection between pharaohs and deities. These ancient pyramids enclosed physical death and celebrated spiritual rebirth. Many of them still stand at different parts of Egypt today waiting for us get to know the stories they have going through these years. The most basic elements of pyramids can be seen in the extreme case, tombs in Lower Nubia (A-group), which consisted of pits sunk into the ground and covered by a ceiling of sandstone slabs. They are built on a mound of debris encased in drystone masonry. Pottery can also be found at the base of the mounds, and some of the mounds had been constructed specially to offer places on the west and south sides. Then how about those huger pyramids at Giza? They are built on gigantic scale with more complex versions of the same basic scheme. Most of these grandiose pyramid complexes consisted of some standard elements like major pyramid, satellite pyramid, queens’ pyramids, mortuary temple, causeway and valley temple, which are clear from a survey of the remains of complexes along a stretch of the Nile Valley from Abu Roash and Medium. (Mark Lehner, The complete Pyramids, 18) Each major pyramid was a tomb for the king, which could be reached through a maze of tunnels. Also, in the southwest area of the complex were stone replicas of structures used in the sed-celebration. In the great courtyard, boundary markers indicated where the king had to make his ceremonial run to mark his territorial claims. Satellite pyramid and queens’ pyramids are for the close servants and queens separately. Besides, the mortuary temple, sitting on the north side of the pyramid, is a temple to maintain the dead king’s cult. (Marc Van De Mieroop, A History