1. The Egyptian Pyramids – why were they created? What were they made of? Were all
pyramids made in the same way?
2. Egyptian Temples – there are temples all over ancient Egypt – Discuss their construction
and architectural features, wall paintings, and sculptures.
3. Egyptian Grave Goods: As we have learned in class, the Egyptians had complex beliefs
about the afterlife. What kinds of things did they bury in their tombs and why? What kinds
of artworks would you find in their tombs and why? Were all burials created equally?
4. The Amarna Period: What happened in Egypt during this tumultuous time? How did the
art and religion change?
5. The Nubians also built pyramids. How were their pyramids different from the Egyptians?
How were they similar? How many are there?
6. The role of women in Nubia was very different from that in ancient Egypt. Who were
some of the women rulers of Nubia? What do their grave goods and temples tell us?
7. The rock cut churches of Ethiopia are amazing. Write about who created them, how they
might have been created, and what kind of symbols we might find there.
No, not all pyramids were made in the same way. Construction techniques evolved significantly over the centuries:
Early pyramids (e.g., the Step Pyramid of Djoser) were stepped, built as a series of stacked mastabas.
Old Kingdom pyramids (e.g., Giza) were solid stone, with courses (layers) of stone initially sloping inwards for stability.
Later pyramids (Middle Kingdom) often transitioned to using a core of mud-brick or rubble, which was then covered with a veneer of polished limestone. These later pyramids are generally less well-preserved.
2. Egyptian Temples
Egyptian temples, which functioned as the literal home of a god or goddess, were monumental structures designed to reflect cosmic order, symmetry, and monumentality.
Construction and Architectural Features: Temples were built primarily using stone (limestone, sandstone, and granite) to ensure their permanence, unlike everyday buildings made of mud-brick. The dominant method was post-and-lintel construction (vertical supports topped by horizontal beams). Key features, arranged along a central axis, often included:
Dromos: An avenue flanked by sphinxes leading to the entrance.
Pylons: Massive, trapezoidal gateway towers that served as the monumental entrance.
Peristyle Courts: Large open courtyards surrounded by columns.
Hypostyle Halls: Vast, columned, roofed spaces, with columns often topped by capitals resembling plants like the lotus or papyrus.
Sanctuary (Holy of Holies): The darkest, innermost chamber housing the god's cult image, access to which was highly restricted.
Wall Paintings and Sculptures: Temple walls were covered in polychrome low-reliefs, engravings, and paintings. These were not merely decorative; they were functional, depicting scenes that ensured the cosmic order (Ma′at) was maintained. Common themes included:
Sample Answer
A Survey of Ancient Egyptian and Nubian Architecture, Religion, and Art
1. The Egyptian Pyramids
The Egyptian pyramids were created primarily as colossal tombs for the Pharaohs and, occasionally, their consorts. Their construction was driven by the complex Egyptian belief in the afterlife and the necessity of preserving the Pharaoh's body and spirit (Ka and Ba) to ensure his successful rebirth as a god and, by extension, the continued stability and prosperity of Egypt. The pyramids provided a safe, symbolic mountain leading to the heavens.
The main construction material was locally quarried limestone for the core and body of the structure. High-quality white limestone from Tura was used for the smooth outer casing, which has largely been stripped away over time. Granite, sourced far away near Aswan, was used for structural elements like the portcullises, roofs, and walls of the burial chambers, due to its hardness and durability.