Ancient Egypt: Art, Architecture, and History

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