Old Kingdom. Ancient Egypt

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1 Old Kingdom Ancient Egypt 1

2 Development of the Pyramid 2

3 #17 Great Pyramids, Gizeh, Egypt, Dynasty IV. From left: Pyramids of Menkaure, ca BCE; Khafre, ca BCE; and Khufu, ca BCE. 3

4 The Great Pyramids Fun Facts Took an average 23 years to complete each one 2,300,000 limestone blocks each weighing 2.5 tons Rudimentary copper and stone tools, yet cut so accurately that even today it s hard to find places that a knife will fit in between the stones Used barges to float blocks from quarry on east side to west side Log rollers, temporary brick ramps (no wheels) Pearly white limestone facing to surface 480 tall pyramid Khafre s is 910 ft. on each side, over 55 stories tall tallest structure for next 4500 years 4

5 Egyptians always buried their dead on the west side of the Nile, where the sun sets, symbolizing the realm of the dead Originally covered in smooth limestone that would be reflective in the sun (Almost blinding to the eyes.) - also had a gilded capstone 2005 Saskia Cultural Documentation, Ltd. general view from NW: Khufu (Cheops), Khafre (Chefren), Menkaure (Mycerinus) 5

6 The Pyramid Shape Pyramid shape is symbol of Re, the sun god Pharaohs were considered his sons Mimics the sun s rays The pharaoh s could then climb the rays to the heavens to join Re Where the pharaoh s are reborn Just as the sun is reborn at dawn Very stable shape Contributes to the idea of permanence Size is symbolic of the greatness of the pharaoh Connected to the sacred ben-ben stone, an icon of the primeval mound that was considered the place of initial creation 6

7 Kings Chamber is entirely red granite and located in the exact center of the pyramid 7

8 Model of the pyramid complex, Gizeh, Egypt. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Semitic Museum. 1. Pyramid of Menkaure, 2. Pyramid of Khafre, 3. Mortuary temple of Khafre, 4. Covered Causeway, 5. Great Sphinx 6. Valley temple of Khafre, 7. Pyramid of Khufu, 8. Pyramids of the royal family and mastabas of nobles 8

9 Pyramid Complex Demonstrates the divine rights of kings Ensures pharaoh s immortality Seen in the belief in the sun god Re Planned to follow the sun s east-west path Both the tomb and palace in the afterlife Connects this life and the next Sphynx is guardian figure for Khafre 9

10 Pyramid Complex Being buried near the pharaoh was a great honor and helped ensure a prized place in the afterlife Included seven large boat pits brick-lined boat shaped elements were probably intended for use in the afterlife to transport the king to stellar destinations Royal mortuary boats have a long history in Egypt Temples at the base of each pyramid to allow for worship and offerings to the cult of the pharaoh 10

11 Carved into living rock in situ Body of a lion, head of Khafre Great Sphinx (with Pyramid of Khafre in the background at left), Gizeh, Egypt, Dynasty IV, ca BCE. Sandstone, approx. 65 high, 240 long. 11

12 Great Sphinx (with Pyramid of Khafre in the background at left), Gizeh, Egypt, Dynasty IV, ca BCE. Sandstone First truly colossal sculpture in Egyptian history Carved from the bedrock of the Giza plateau The lion was a royal symbol as well as being connected with the sun as a symbol of the horizon The fusion of this powerful animal with the head of the pharaoh was an icon that survived and was often used throughout Egyptian history Head is too small due to a weakness in the stone Directly in front of the Sphinx is a separate temple dedicated to the worship of its cult unique in that it has two sanctuaries one on the east and one on the west likely connected to the rising and setting sun 12

13 Guardians of Kings 13

14 14

15 Khafre, from Gizeh, Egypt, Dynasty IV, ca BCE. Diorite, approx. 5 6 high. Diorite very hard stone Idealized Frontal meant to be seen from the front Closed form Symbolism falcon is the god Horus Place for the Ka to reside The falcon god Horus extends his protective wings to shelter Khafre s head. Demonstrates the artist s cubic view of the human figure - created by drawing the front and side view of the figure on the block of stone and then working inward until the views met The figure is immobile and firm- the body is impersonal but the face has some individual traits The intertwined lotus and papyrus plants between the legs of Khafre s throne are thought to be symbolic of the united Egypt 15

16 Khafre wears the royal fake beard fastened to his chin and wears the royal linen nemes royal headdress worn by the pharaoh containing the cobra of kingship on the front Found in a Valley Temple A temple associated with each pyramid s patron Used to perpetuate the cult of the deceased king and were active places of worship for hundreds of years Images of the king were placed in these temples to serve as a focus for worship several such images have been found in these contexts 16

17 #18 Menkaure and his Queen, from Gizeh, Egypt, Dynasty IV, ca BCE. Graywacke, approx /2 high. CONTEXT Found in his Valley Temple Multiple statues were found Most were triads with Menkaure embraced by deities These surrounded the open court of the temple These figures were meant to house the ka Typical formula for depicting royalty in Egyptian Art Creates a sense of eternity and immortality Originally brightly painted The king has no protective cobra (known as a uraeus) It is possible both the king s nemes and the queen s wig were originally covered in precious metal and that the cobra would have been part of that addition. 17

18 #18 Menkaure and his Queen, from Giza, Egypt, Dynasty IV, ca BCE. Graywacke, approx /2 high. CONTENT Either Queen Khamerernebty or the goddess Hathor Standing (common pose), both have left foot forward, yet they are not moving forward Unusual for a woman to be depicted with a foot forward This was the stereotypical pose that symbolized marriage. The stone from which they were created still is still visible, maintaining the block/closed form. Figures are idealized and emotionless Individualized face on the pharaoh 18

19 Triad sculptures also found in his Valley Temple Left is Hathor Fundamentally important goddess Hathor was worshipped in the pyramid temple complexes along with the supreme sun god Re and the god Horus, who was represented by the living king Right is the personification of a nome (a geographic designation, similar to the modern idea of a region, district, or county). 19

20 #15 Seated scribe Old Kingdom, Fourth Dynasty. C B.C.E. Painted Limestone. Painted sculpture Stiff, upright posture Frontality of head and body Sits on ground Honorary figure due to his literacy A rare example of an Egyptian figure at work 20

21 #15 Seated scribe. Saqqara, Egypt. Old Kingdom, Fourth Dynasty. C B.C.E. Painted Limestone. Head shows sensitivity and intelligence Sagging chest and protruding belly (naturalism) would be inappropriate for a deity His weight indicates a comfortable life 21

22 #15 Seated scribe Egypt, 2500 bce. Painted limestone, approx. 1 9 high.. As a subject s importance decreases, the rules of formality are relaxed and realism is increased Material of sculpture is also indicative of his lower status Color lends a lifelike quality 22