HISTART 2001 Lecture Notes - Lecture 11: Ancient Egyptian Religion, Live Rock, Pyramidion

• School: Ohio State University
• Department: History of Art
• Course: HISTART 2001
• Professor: Karl Whittington

Document Summary

Formed from the basic structure called the mastaba - a short, flat house which contained a burial chamber. First pyramids appear to be many stacked mastabas/short, flat houses stacked on top of one another. Later, the smoother, flat edges of the pyramids developed. Djoser"s funerary complex at saqqara, egypt (ca. 2630-2575 bce) is the first (known) pyramid which has the stacked mastabas to create a stepped pyramid shape. **many different theories for the meaning of the pyramid"s form, none can be. Pyramid shape symbolizes light/shape of a light ray- light was a significant symbol/aspect of egyptian religion /culture. Shape relates to egyptian creation story-> believed atum (god) dwelled in initial. Ben-ben stone is a miniature pyramid stone @ top of mound/pyramid. Pyramids are a ramp to the heavens so their divine/god rulers" spirits could get to them. Thought to cosmically aligned -> many scholars believe the points of the pyramids were meant to line up with orion"s belt.