ArchitecturePyramids, Sphinx, Obelisks

PyramidsZiggurats were the first type of Egyptian pyramids. They were made of mud bricks. The sides of these pyramids were not smooth like the “traditional” pyramids, but were like giant steps. Ziggurats are also known as step pyramids. General Facts of Pyramids

• Made of limestone and granite.• Took about 100,000 men about 20 years to build one pyramid.• It was once thought that slaves built them, but now believed

they were built by the common Egyptians.• Historians believe they used the shape of the pyramid as a

symbol for the spirit to rise/point to the Egyptian gods and goddesses.• Pyramids were built as burial tombs for the ancient Egyptian pharaohs, queens and nobles.

• They were built to hold and protect the body and items needed for the afterlife. The dead would need to be buried with everything they would need in the afterlife.

• Every pyramid was looted into by 1000 B.C.• Mummies were often destroyed = no afterlife for the pharaoh.

Great Pyramid at Giza• The largest pyramid was built for Cheops/Khufu.• Square base is 756 feet on each side.• 450 feet tall• Made almost entirely of sandstone rock.• Still standing in Cairo today!• Considered one of the Ancient Wonders of the

World.Parts of a Pyramid• Air shafts/Ventilators – allowed people to breathe during the

building of the pyramid and at the funeral.• Relieving chambers - to keep the weight of the pyramid

from crushing the king’s chambers. • King’s chamber – final resting place for the king’s mummy. • Queen’s chamber – did not contain the queen just called that!

• Underground unfinished burial chamber – did not contain a body but just

storage for treasures.• Escape shaft – let people out of the pyramid after they buried

the pharaoh.• Grand Gallery – After the pharaoh was buried the entrance to

the gallery was sealed off with enormous blocks. Great Pyramid’s Grand Gallery – 150 feet long by 25 feet high.

Sphinx• It had the body of a lion and head of a

king.• It has guarded Khafre’s pyramid for

4,500 years.• Largest freestanding structure to

survive ancient times.• Drifting sands buried it up to the neck

for most of history.Legend of Thutmose IV• 1400 B.C. – he begins his attempts to clear the sand and dig it

out.• He falls asleep and had a dream that if he freed it from the

sand, the sphinx would make him king.• He recorded his dream on a stone tablet between its huge

paws.• He began to rule Egypt around 1399 B.C.Interesting Facts• Carved from rock that was too crumbly to use for Khafre’s

pyramid.• 187 feet long and 66 feet high.• Stands next to Khafre’s pyramid and looks east to the rising

sun.• 15th century A.D. Muslim troops broke the nose for religious

reasons.• Modern time – many people are working to protect the aging

Sphinx.

Other Distinctive Egyptian ArchitectureObelisk• Stone column• Wider at base and rose to a point• Built at the entrances of temples• Inscribed with names of rulers and

religious events• Hieroglyphs were used

Pylon• Large wall at the entrance of a temple• Decorated with carvings• Greek word for “gate”• Largest and most essential part of the

temple