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Architectural Developments
In predynastic times the Egyptians had huts and
shrines built of reeds and plant materials. They buried their dead
in shallow sand graves. From c.3400 BC, they began to use sun-dried
brick to construct great tombs for the ruling classes, and palaces
and shrines were also now enclosed by brick walls. Gradually stone
was introduced as a building material, and tomb walls and entrances
were lined with dressed blocks of stone.
In Dynasty 3 the vizier Imhotep designed a unique burial monument for Djoser the world’s first pyramid and earliest extant stone building. The Old Kingdom witnessed the first great period of architecture and building, when pyramid complexes, fields of mastaba tombs, and solar temples were constructed at vast expense. By this time it had become the custom to build with stone, to ensure that these great structures would last for eternity. However, domestic buildings palaces, houses, fortresses, record offices, and administrative headquarters as well as lesser tombs were made of mud brick and wood with stone doorways and recesses, for it was not important that domestic buildings should survive forever. Because these structures are less well preserved we have a rather uneven impression of many aspects of Egyptian civilization. It is known, though, that most architectural forms and decoration had already been established by the Old Kingdom, and as with many other aspects of the civilization, subsequent changes were essentially superficial. The surviving architecture reflects the availability of various building materials: Good quality timber was rare, stone was accessible throughout Egypt, and Nile mud was readily converted into mud bricks. Mathematical knowledge and simple equipment enabled the architects to produce plans and sketches to enable these great monuments to be built. They had the use of the plumb bob, cubit, square, measuring line, leveling staff, and a primitive theodolite; tools were made of flint, hard stone, and copper or bronze since iron was not used in Egypt until the Late Period (c.750 BC) after the Assyrians had conquered the country. The builders’ construction equipment was also limited: Brick and earth ramps, wooden sledges and rollers, and ropes and levers enabled them to move vast quantities of stone and to erect monumental buildings. The secret of their success lay in the skill and patience of the workmen and their obvious ability to work as members of an effective gang. Although the numbers of conscripted labor used for the heaviest work may have been considerable, the corps of professional craftsmen was probably quite small. Certainly in the Old Kingdom, and probably at other times, religious fervor and the belief that their efforts were contributing to the king’s (and, therefore, their own) chance of attaining eternity must have inspired their efforts. Initially the Egyptians’ knowledge and expertise went into constructing their tombs and temples, but it was subsequently utilized for improving their living conditions. Preparation for death and worship of the gods accounted for the expenditure of much of the national wealth and resources, and after several generations the burden became too great for society to bear, as occurred, for example, at the end of the Old Kingdom. Not only was each king expected to build his own tomb and support the tombs of his favored courtiers and officials but he was also required to restore and renovate the monuments built by his predecessors. Nevertheless, the tombs and temples were vitally important because they represented in stone the magical concepts and rituals of the religion. Each temple symbolized not only the place of creation but also the god’s house and was regarded as a microcosm of the universe; its rituals ensured the continuation of the world, the king’s success, and the fertility of Egypt. Similarly the pyramids and tombs represented the dwellings of the dead where they would be able to experience resurrection and rebirth. Therefore, despite the expense and labor involved in constructing these monuments, it was inconceivable that they would ever cease to be built and maintained. .
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Architectural Developments
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