Ancient Egypt: Art, Architecture, and History

This article explores the art, architecture, and history of Ancient Egypt, focusing on the Zoser Pyramid Complex. It discusses the construction practices, functions, and symbolic meanings of the complex, as well as the history of Ancient Egypt and its religious beliefs.

Running head: ANCIENT EGYPT 1
Ancient Egypt
Name
Institution

ANCIENT EGYPT 2
ANCIENT EGYPT
INTRODUCTION
Egypt was one of the most civilized and prosperous lands for almost 2000 years in the
ancient years. This was as a result of the art and architecture that the country had in the form of
pyramids and ruins of temples as well as tombs. The art and architecture provide a valuable
history of Egyptian life and up to now, are significant parts of the history of Ancient Egypt. 1
Egypt is a very religious nation, and the Egyptians believed in life after death. They
believed that life continued even after a person dies. However, to live life after death, a dead
body had to be preserved or mummified. Mummification in the ancient years involved burying
the deceased person's body in pits in the desert. The heat from the sand, as well as its dryness,
dehydrated the bodies creating ‘mummies.' The dead body was also buried with food, drinks, and
items that the person had or enjoyed while alive. 2
The preservation of the dead body depended on the person's status in life. For instance,
the Kings and wealthy persons were built for tombs that contained structures as well as wall
paintings to use in the afterlife. The gods were also treated with proper care as they were made
temples that included attendants. Their temples had farmland and stables, and their walls
contained rituals and festivals. 3
The Old Kingdom
1 Hoffman, M.A. (1984), ‘The Royal Tombs: An End and a Beginning' (Chapter 18) in Egypt before the Pharaohs,
London, pp. 267–288.
2 Spence, A.J. (1993). ‘The Early Dynasties' (Chapter 4) in Early Egypt: The Rise of Civilization in the Nile Valley,
London, pp. 63–97.

ANCIENT EGYPT 3
Civilization period in Egypt happened between 2650-2150 B.C. and it was under the rule
of King Zoser. He was the first king to rule in the Third Dynasty. The king's minister was the
Imhotep, and the advances that took place in this dynasty can be attributed to him. The Imhotep
was a skilled architect and the architect of the Zoser Pyramid Complex. 4
The Zoser Pyramid also known as the Step Pyramid was the first stone building in
ancient Egypt. It was designed to preserve the body of Zoser and his family members. The
pyramid contains the body of Pharaoh Zoser and his Ka. During its construction, Pharaoh Zoser
ordered that his mastaba, be a mountain so that people working in the fields below it could see it.
He ordered his Imhotep to enlarge the mastaba so that it can be massive as a mountain. The
Zoser Pyramid is a huge milestone in the architectural and art history of Egypt. 5
THE ARCHITECTURAL AND ARTISTIC FEATURES OF THE ZOSER PYRAMID
COMPLEX
The pyramid was built of stone, limestone blocks specifically, which was the first in that
period and it brought the idea of stone and monumentality. The monument is erected 92' below
the ground, and this is where the Pharaoh Zoser and his Ka reside. There were six stages of the
construction of the Zoser pyramid. The first stage involved the construction of a mastaba that in
3 Wilkinson, R. H. (2000). The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt. New York: Thames and Hudson. UniM Archit
932 WILK.
4 Aldred, C. (1965). Egypt to the End of the Old Kingdom (New York: McGraw-Hill.). UniM Baill High Use 913.32
A365
5 Aldred, C. (1962). The Development of Ancient Egyptian Art, from 3200 to 1315 B.C. (Lo London: Tiranti.).
UniM Archit 709.32 ALD

ANCIENT EGYPT 4
size was similar to a football field. Pharaoh then ordered the enlargement of the mastaba on all
sides. This followed an expansion only on the east side making it a rectangular plan. 6
The pharaoh and his Imhotep then decided to add another mastaba that was smaller
directly on top of this one to make two. They then added more on top of the two mastabas to
make four mastabas. During the final stage, two more mastabas were added to make a total of
six. The Zoser pyramid then became the six-step pyramid. After this, the pyramid was cased with
limestone. The final height of the monument was 204 feet. 7
The pyramid has a wall surrounding it that is 1800 by 900 feet which are made of white
limestone. The enclosure wall has a zigzag pattern so that the walls can be stable. The complex
has only one entrance that is contained on the south-east side of the enclosure wall. On entering
the entrance, there is a long hall. The hallway is filled with 42 columns which are attached to
wing walls. The columns form 21 compartments along the hallway. The columns of the hallway
have a very plastic quality and are fluted. They appear like bundles of reeds.
The long hallway includes a smaller hall that has four pairs of columns that are connected
to the walls placed vertically to the long hallway. The hall being vertical allows for sunlight to
cut through the openings created. There are other structures in the complex apart from the
pyramid, and these include the south tomb and two courts (north court and Hebsed court). The
southern tomb contains Pharaoh's Ka and the north court has two houses. The structures in these
courts are completely solid because they do not have any internal spaces. The Zoser Complex
6 Desroches-Noblecourt, C. (1989). Tutankhamen: Life and Death of a Pharaoh London: Penguin. UniM Baill
932.01 DESR – recalled from store.
7 Aldred, C. (1988). Akhenaten, King of Egypt. London: Thames and Hudson. UniM Baill High Use 932.0140924
ALDR

ANCIENT EGYPT 5
Pyramid was a significant milestone in architectural design and is an essential part in the history
of architecture.
Just outside the enclosure wall is a trench dug that surrounds the complex. The trench is
decorated with niches, and it measures 750m in length and 40 meters in width.
The Zoser complex has a burial chamber that is a vault. The chamber is constructed with
well-dressed granite and had one opening. The opening, however, was closed after the burial of
the pharaoh.
The north side of the complex pyramid contained the temple otherwise known as the
northern temple. It faced the north stars which the pharaoh hoped to join. The north temple
provided a place for rituals to be performed daily as well as offerings. Just adjacent to the temple
is the sedarb which housed the Kings Ka. The sedarb had two holes in it so that the King could
witness the ceremonies and rituals.
CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES
The Zoser pyramid is wholly made of stone and is the first in the dynasty. The pyramid is
then cased with limestone, and the enclosure walls are made of white limestone. The builders
used larger and better blocks as compared to previous pyramids and laid the beds leaning
inwards. They used clay instead of mortar as an aid to set the blocks. The builders also buried the
dummy structures partially, that included those in the North and South tomb.
The enclosure walls were made in a zigzag pattern which is known as crenellation. The
builders dug a trench in the underlying rock near the enclosure wall. The trench walls have
niches as decorations, and it is 750m in length and 40m in width.

ANCIENT EGYPT 6
The builders of the Zoser Pyramid were profoundly influenced by architecture in the
early dynasty period. This consisted of the use of light, reeds, straw, wood, mud bricks and
matting. For instance, the columns in the long hallway were fluted and appeared reed like. The
builders did not plan a step pyramid but a square mastaba which transformed with time into a
rectangular mastaba then into the six-step pyramid.
The construction of the Zoser Pyramid was made spatially. The spatial organization
allows for one to have views of all its structures diagonally while moving through the complexes.
The long hallway was made vertically so that it can create clerestory openings that allow light to
cut through into the space.
The columns in the long hallway are fluted, and this might be due to some reasons. First,
it is because they emphasize the verticality of the long hall. Second, the columns are narrowed
upward and this was used because less support is needed as the column goes upward. The
narrowing of the column also contributes to the verticality of the hallway.
FUNCTIONS
1. The primary function of the Zoser Complex Pyramid was to preserve the dead body of
the Pharaoh of the third dynasty who was Zoser as well as his ka. His ka was merely his life
force. This was so that the pharaoh could still live after his death.

ANCIENT EGYPT 7
2. The enclosure wall contains fourteen doors that cannot be used by the living. These
doors main function was to be used by the pharaoh in his afterlife as portals between life and
immortality. The whole has one entrance which can be used by the living. 8
3. The function of the trench wall outside the wall was to make entry to the complex a tad
difficult.
4. The complex of the Zoser Pyramid is enclosed by a wall that is made in a zigzag
pattern. The function of this pattern is to provide stability of the whole throughout the years. 9
5. The columns that are present in the long hallways are narrowed upwards so that they
can bring the verticality of the hallway. Also, the tapering allows for less support upward since it
is not needed as the column proceeds. 10
6. The structures in both the south and north courts are fully enclosed because they have
no internal spaces. Therefore they have no function for the living whatsoever.
7. The Hebsed court which is in the south of the complex was built so that the
rejuvenation ceremony could be carried out there. The rejuvenation ceremony was a ceremony
carried out after every thirty years when the pharaoh was alive. The ceremony would be carried
out after his death in the Hebsed court after every 30 years of his death. 11
8 Edwards, I.E.S. (1976). Tutankhamun, his tomb, and its treasures. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art. UniM
Giblin Eunson 709.32 EDW.
9 Edwards, I.E.S. (1985). The Pyramids of Egypt. Harmondsworth: Penguin. UniM Baill 932 EDWA
10 Grimal, N.(1992). A History of Ancient Egypt Cambridge: Blackwells. UniM Baill High Use 932.01 GRIM
11 James, T.G.H. (1988). Ancient Egypt: the land and its legacy. London: British Museum Publications. UniM Baill
f 932 JAME

ANCIENT EGYPT 8
8. The serdab that was adjacent to the six-step pyramid is a statue of the king. It had two
holes which the pharaoh was expected to use to see offerings given in the mortuary temple. The
serdab also functioned as inhabitation of the pharaoh if his mummified body was destroyed. 12
THE SYMBOLIC MEANINGS
1. The Zoser Complex Pyramid is built on the west side of the river Nile in Saqqara. The
pyramid is located on the west bank of the Nile because the sun sets in the west. Therefore this is
used to symbolize the death of the Pharaoh by locating it where the sun sets. 13
2. The 42 columns that are in the long hallway are symbolic of the forty-two provinces in
Egypt. There is a small hallway at the end of the long hallway. The smaller hall plus the long
hallway are hypothetically said to symbolize the Nile and its Delta.14
3. The Zoser Pyramid is surrounded by other complex buildings that symbolize the Kings
residence in Memphis.
4. The complex of the pyramid has two of every building. It has two tombs, two courts as
well as two houses. This symbolizes the pharaoh being the ruler of the two unified Egypt.
12 Sasson, J. M. (1995) (ed.) Civilizations of the Ancient Near East, vol. III, part 8.
13 Chadwick, First Civilizations: Part II, Ch. 4. The Akkadians and the Ur III Dynasty; Mesopotamia in the second
millennium BC, pp. 50–59.
14 Spencer, A.J. (1993). Early Egypt: The Rise of Civilisation in the Nile Valley. London: The British Museum
Press, UniM Baill High Use 932.011 SPEN

ANCIENT EGYPT 9
5. The dummy structures, in the Zoser complex, are halfway submerged. This symbolized
that even after death (characterized by the submerged part) there is still life (marked by the
section above ground). 15
6. The northern temple faced the north stars which symbolized that the pharaoh wanted to
join them. This is because the North Stars never set and therefore symbolized the eternity of life
after death. 16
7. The Hebsed court was symbolic of the hebsed festival that was carried after every 30
years of the King's life to celebrate him. The court allowed for the continuation of the ritual by
commemorating the pharaoh's life every thirty years after his death.
Conclusion
The Zoser Complex pyramid plays an essential part in the architectural history of the
world as well as in Egypt. It was the first ever pyramid of its kind to be built of stone and was
cased with limestone. The Zoser pyramid preserves the body of the third dynasty Pharaoh that
was Zoser and his Ka. His Imhotep did the architectural design. During its construction, Pharaoh
Zoser ordered that his mastaba, be a mountain so that people working in the fields below it could
see it.
The architectural design of the Zoser Pyramid consisted of the use of natural materials
such as stone, mud bricks, reeds, and wood. This was evident in the construction of the mastabas,
the enclosure walls as well as the columns in the long walls. The Zoser Pyramid has a spatial,
unlike other pyramids that allows one to have views of all its structures diagonally while moving
15 Jacobsen, T. (1976). The Treasures of Darkness: A History of Mesopotamian Religion.
16 Bottaro, J. (2001) Religion in Ancient Mesopotamia.

ANCIENT EGYPT 10
through the complexes. In conclusion, the Zoser Pyramid marked an essential part of Ancient
Egyptian history and paved way to a building of masonry with stone.
References
Aldred, C. (1962). The Development of Ancient Egyptian Art, from 3200 to 1315 B.C. (Lo
London: Tiranti.). UniM Archit 709.32 ALD
Aldred, C. (1965). Egypt to the End of the Old Kingdom (New York: McGraw-Hill.). UniM
Baill High Use 913.32 A365

ANCIENT EGYPT 11
Aldred, C. (1988). Akhenaten, King of Egypt. London: Thames and Hudson. UniM Baill High
Use 932.0140924 ALDR
Bottaro, J. (2001) Religion in Ancient Mesopotamia.
Chadwick, First Civilizations: Part II, Ch. 4. The Akkadians and the Ur III Dynasty;
Mesopotamia in the second millennium BC, pp. 50–59.
Desroches-Noblecourt, C. (1989). Tutankhamen: Life and Death of a Pharaoh London: Penguin.
UniM Baill 932.01 DESR – recalled from store
Edwards, I.E.S. (1976). Tutankhamun, his tomb, and its treasures. New York: Metropolitan
Museum of Art. UniM Giblin Eunson 709.32 EDW 1
Edwards, I.E.S. (1985). The Pyramids of Egypt. Harmondsworth: Penguin. UniM Baill 932
EDWA
Grimal, N.(1992). A History of Ancient Egypt Cambridge: Blackwells. UniM Baill High Use
932.01 GRIM
Hoffman, M.A. (1984), ‘The Royal Tombs: An End and a Beginning' (Chapter 18) in Egypt
before the Pharaohs, London, pp. 267–288.
Jacobsen, T. (1976). The Treasures of Darkness: A History of Mesopotamian Religion
James, T.G.H. (1988). Ancient Egypt: the land and its legacy. London: British Museum
Publications. UniM Baill f 932 JAME
Sasson, J. M. (1995) (ed.) Civilizations of the Ancient Near East, vol. III, part 8.
Spence, A.J. (1993). ‘The Early Dynasties' (Chapter 4) in Early Egypt: The Rise of Civilization
in the Nile Valley, London, pp. 63–97.
Spencer, A.J. (1993). Early Egypt: The Rise of Civilisation in the Nile Valley. London: The
British Museum Press, UniM Baill High Use 932.011 SPEN.

ANCIENT EGYPT 12
Wilkinson, R. H. (2000). The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt. New York: Thames and
Hudson. UniM Archit 932 WILK.