1.+Egyptian+Architecture

=** 1. Egyptian Architecture **= __ Introduction __ :

As you probably know, the ancient Egyptians are noted for their impressive architectural achievements, including the pyramids. In this activity, you’ll see pictures of some structures from the Old and New Kingdoms. Be sure to read the descriptions that accompany the Web links, as these will give you an idea of what you’re looking at in each photograph. As you go through the pictures, think about how these structures might have been built.

Egyptians of the Old Kingdom believed that burial sites, especially royal tombs were very important. As a result they build spectacular structures calls pyramids to bury their rulers. The Egyptians wanted the pyramids to be spectacular because they believed that the pharaoh, as their link to the gods, controlled everyone’s afterlife.

Architecture of the New Kingdom reflects the Egyptian belief that the temples were homes of the gods. People visited the temples to worship, offer the gods gifts, and ask for favors.

__ Directions __ :

The ancient Egyptian kingdoms consisted of:

The Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE) The Middle Kingdom (1991–1786 BCE) The New Kingdom (1570–1070 BCE)

Look at pictures of architecture from the Old and New Kingdoms by going to the following Web pages. Then answer the questions below.

All Web links for this lesson can be found at: []

Old Kingdom
@http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/pyramid_gallery_02.shtml
 * Mastaba Tomb**

The king’s officials and relatives would have been buried in mastabas such as this one.

@http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/arth/zoser/zoser.html
 * The Step Pyramid Complex of Djoser**

Under “Table of Illustrations,” look at numbers 3, 5, 8, 9, and 10.

These are photographs of the first known Egyptian pyramid.

@http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/obelisk/explore/
 * Explore Ancient Egypt**

@http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/obelisk/explore/sphinx.html
 * The Great Sphinx of Giza**

Click and drag around the photograph of the Sphinx.

This sculpture stands 240 feet tall and has a human head and a lion’s body. It is believed to have been built for either King Khafre or the god Re- Harakhte (god of the morning sun). It is situated near the pyramid built for King Khafre (see “Converging Pyramids,” below).

@http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/obelisk/explore/oldkingdom.html
 * Converging Pyramids**

Click and drag around the photograph of the three pyramids. These are the three pyramids of Giza, located near the ancient city of Memphis and near modern-day Cairo. They were built about 2600 to 2500 BCE for kings Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. The largest one (for Khufu) is called the Great Pyramid and originally stood 481 feet tall (today it’s only 450 feet because some of the upper stones are missing). This pyramid contains more than 2 million stone blocks.

New Kingdom
@http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/obelisk/explore/karnakrams.html
 * Karnak Temple—Temple of Ramses III**

Click and drag around the photograph of the temple.

Ramses III reigned from about 1182–1151 BCE. He was a military leader who saved Egypt from invasion on several occasions. His victories are depicted on the walls of his temple.

@http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/lostempires/obelisk/explore/luxor.html
 * Pylon with Obelisk**

Click and drag around the photograph of the obelisk.

The Egyptian obelisks were carved from single blocks of granite. The obelisks were often placed in pairs outside temples. They usually had hieroglyphic writing on them. This obelisk is 82 feet high.

@http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/pyramid_gallery_08.shtml
 * New Kingdom Pyramid**

@http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/launch_gms_pyramid_builder.shtml
 * Pyramid Challenge game**

@http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/great_pyramid_01.shtml The New Kingdom marked the end of the era of great pyramid construction. New Kingdom kings were generally buried in the Valley of the Kings and not in pyramids. Everyday people living in the New Kingdom, however, often chose to incorporate the pyramid shape into Their tombs.
 * "Building the Great Pyramid"**

** Questions **

Place information that will help answer the following questions in Noodles Note cards. Share your notecards with me. Mrs. Peckham will instruct on how to use the Note cards and save your site information. 1. What is the main difference between the step pyramids and the other __pyramids__?

2. Imagine that you’re a tour guide showing people around the sites of Egypt. One of your group members asks you to describe the main differences between the architecture of the __Old Kingdom and the New Kingdom__. What would you tell this person?

3. Why do you think the Egyptians put so much effort into building these __structures,__ both in the Old and the New Kingdom? What do the structures’ size and the intricacy of the way they were designed suggest about the Egyptians’ __attitudes toward the gods and pharaohs?__

4. Choose one structure you’ve looked at, and return to its picture. How do you think it might have been built? Describe the __process__ by which you think the Egyptians might have constructed it.