ARTHIST 101D Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Hatshepsut, Nofret, Narmer
10 May 2018
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Lecture 4 Old Kingdom Egypt: the Pyramids and the New Kingdom Egypt 1.16.15
Old Kingdom Egypt: the Pyramids
Palette of King Narmer (3000 BCE)
Emergence of a highly stratified social system
Inequality in terms of rank expressed by size of figures (will be seen in difference in sizes of
pyramids)
Concept of divine authorization (Horus, anthromorphized Gods)
Canon for body proportions
Reinforcement of elite status by use of precious materials
o Lapis lazuli (blue stone): not indigenous to Egypt, comes from the border between Pakistan
and Afghanistan (very far)
o Indicates the presence of trade to provide luxury goods for social elites
Rahotep and Nofret, Dynasty 4 (2613-2494 BCE)
Woman seems to be wearing jewelry that may be lapis lazuli
Nubia: natural resources included gold, copper, and amethyst
Djoser, Pharaoh, and Imhotep, architect and minister
Saqqara step Pyramid (2630-2611 BCE), Dynasty 4
Imhotep is considered history’s first architect
Peephole that shows a glimpse of Djoser the hole was for the entry and exit of Djoser’s soul
Organic materials such as palm trees, mud, reeds made up the pharaoh’s residence
Step pyramid offers a chapel for the soul, but also protects the statue of the deceased
Designed with inspiration of the mastaba tomb: underground burial (actual body) that is hidden
by a monument outside protected against tomb thieves who would rob the tomb of luxury
goods
Step pyramid (made by piling stone) had underground burial with a granite sarcophagus chamber
and attached temple
Stone constructions surrounding/decorating the step pyramid imitates the natural perishable
materials that would adorn the pharaoh’s palace
Papyrus columns of Saqqara
o Shows coursing of uniform sizes
o Suggests mass production of same size stone; systematizes the labor process; makes the
system interchangeable
o Evokes a prismatic elegance
o Ashlar masonry: wall is vertical when stone is finely cut (enhances lifespan of wall)
▪ Also provided a smooth canvass for paintings
Great Pyramids, Gizeh (2551-2472 BCE)
Originally intended to be capped with a layer of polished limestone
o Only a little of the limestone is left
o Most of the limestone was scavenged
Wives of pharaoh got mini pyramids
The great Sphinx, Dynasty 4 (2520-2494 BCE)
A little limestone cap left
Includes a Queen’s chamber and King’s chamber
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Lecture 4 old kingdom egypt: the pyramids and the new kingdom egypt 1. 16. 15. Emergence of a highly stratified social system. Inequality in terms of rank expressed by size of figures (will be seen in difference in sizes of pyramids) Concept of divine authorization (horus, anthromorphized gods) Woman seems to be wearing jewelry that may be lapis lazuli. Nubia: natural resources included gold, copper, and amethyst. Saqqara step pyramid (2630-2611 bce), dynasty 4. Peephole that shows a glimpse of djoser the hole was for the entry and exit of djoser"s soul. Organic materials such as palm trees, mud, reeds made up the pharaoh"s residence. Step pyramid offers a chapel for the soul, but also protects the statue of the deceased. Designed with inspiration of the mastaba tomb: underground burial (actual body) that is hidden by a monument outside protected against tomb thieves who would rob the tomb of luxury goods.
