20-06-2013, 12:15 PM
EGYPTIAN TOMBS
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INTRODUCTION
The history of Pharonic Egypt spans nearly 3 millennia, starting around 3100 BC. Major accomplishments were achieved during 3 periods: the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms which lasted roughly 500 years (2700-2200 BC), 200 years (2000-1800 BC), and 500 years (1600-1100 BC). These periods were interrupted by intermediate periods where loss of central authority or foreign invasion led to decline. The ancient Egyptian civilization changed dramatically over these 1600 years, and many of these changes are reflected in how the tombs of the Kings and Queens, Nobleman, and Workers were built and decorated.
HISTORY OF EGYPTIAN TOMBS
The Death Rituals practiced by the Ancient Egyptians included embalming and mummification. After 70 days, following the death of a person, an elaborate funeral procession headed towards the designated tomb of the deceased. The mummies of dead Egyptians were placed in a sarcophagus which was decorated with a likeness of the deceased and these were interred in tombs.
MUMMIFICATION, THE UNDERWORLD AND THE AFTERLIFE
To understand the purpose and the history of Egyptian tombs it is necessary to understand their religion. The Ancient Egyptians believed that preserving the body in death was important to keep their soul alive. In the process of mummification the brain and the internal organs, except the heart, were removed. The Ancient Egyptians believed that a physical body was essential for an eternal life for the deceased. Without a physical body the soul had no place to dwell and became restless forever. They believed that the dead would need to travel through the Underworld which was a land of great dangers. Magic spells were believed to help them through this perilous journey. At the end of the journey the soul of the dead would be judged by the gods where their fate would be decided - either entrance into the perfect afterlife or to be sent to the Devourer of the Dead. The Afterlife was a perfect existence in an ideal version of Egypt. Ancient Egyptians provided for their afterlives according to their earthly means - so their tombs were filled with their best and most expensive belongings
The history of ancient Egyptian tombs changed through the different periods of Egyptian history. The Ancient Egyptian belief in the Afterlife necessitated that their finest and most expensive possessions were buried with them, in their tombs. This fabulous wealth in gold, silver and jewels belonging to the Kings, Queens and nobility naturally attracted the attentions of robber - the tomb raiders. The history of the Royal Egyptian tombs changed according to the different levels of security that were required to keep the tomb raiders at bay, whilst ensuring an easy path to the Afterlife.
The Mastaba - Predynastic To The Early Dynastic Period
The history of ancient Egyptian tombs started with the Mastaba. The mastaba was a very simple tomb without any form of decoration. The mastaba was built of mud-brick and consisted of a single elevated platform. The history of Egyptian tombs therefore started with the mastaba which was used during the Pre-dynastic Period (5550 BC - 3050 BC) through to the Early Dynastic Period (3050 BC - 2686 BC).
THE STEP PYRAMID OF THE OLD KINGDOM
The history of ancient Egyptian tombs made a radical change during the period of the Old Kingdom. In 2686 BC the first Egyptian pyramid was built by Imhotep - the Step Pyramid at Saqqara. The step pyramid was built as a tomb for King Djoser who was one of the kings of the 3rd Dynasty.
THE FIRST PYRAMIDS
During the 4th dynasty of the Old Kingdom (2686 BC - 2181 BC) the Great Pyramids of Egypt were built at Giza. Sneferu aka Snefru - 2613-2589, the founder of the fourth dynasty, is known to have commissioned three pyramids and Khufu (Greek Cheops) 2589 - 2566 erected the Great Pyramid of Giza.
THE PYRAMID TEXTS
The history of ancient Egyptian tombs moves on to King Unas 2375 - 2345 who was the last ruler of the 5th Dynasty. He had the burial chamber in his pyramid tomb inscribed with spells for the afterlife and the cult of Osiris. These are referred to as the Pyramid Texts - later used and adapted to become the basis of the Book of the Dead. The First Intermediate Period and the Qakare Ibi pyramid at Saqarra. The First Intermediate Period (2181 BC - 2040 BC) and the 7th - 10th Egyptian Dynasties saw a breakdown of central government. Qakare Ibi is the only Pharaoh that can connect to any tomb monuments. His pyramid has been found at Saqarra and contains pyramid texts on the walls of his tomb.
THE END OF THE PYRAMIDS
The history of ancient Egyptian tombs came to a halt during the periods of the Middle Kingdom (2040 BC - 1782 BC) and the Second Intermediate Period (1782 BC - 1570 BC) covering the 11th - 17th dynasties. During these periods the ancient Egyptians waged war on their enemies and the major constructions were temples which were dedicated to their gods.
THE ROCK TOMBS OF THE NEW KINGDOM
The history of ancient Egyptian tombs saw a dramatic change during the 500 year period of the New Kingdom (1570 BC - 1070 BC) covering the 18th - 20th Egyptian Dynasties. The capital of these Ancient Egyptians was based at Thebes and a necropolis was established in the Valley of the Kings and Queens. These tombs were built into the rock in this remote area. The great Pharaohs who were buried in these rock tombs included Hatshepsut, Tutankhamun, Tuthmose and Ramses II.
THE DECLINE OF THE EGYPTIAN EMPIRE
During the Third Intermediate Period (1070 BC - 525 BC) the Nubians conquer Egypt establishing the 21st - 25th dynasties. The Late Period (672BC - 332 BC) and the 26th - 31st Egyptian Dynasties were ruled by independent princes, Kushite Kings and the Persians. Then during the Third Intermediate Period (1070 BC - 525 BC) the Nubians conquer Egypt establishing the 21st - 25th dynasties. The Late Period (672BC - 332 BC) and the 26th - 31st Egyptian Dynasties were ruled by independent princes, Kushite Kings and the Persians. Then Alexander the Great invades Egypt and establishes the Ptolemaic dynasty 332 BC - 30BC. Finally Egypt becomes a province of the Roman Empire from 30BC - 641 AD. During these dynasties no great tomb monumnets were built but it is interesting to note that the Greeks adopted the Ancient Egyptian religion as did the Romans. The Roman tombs were found in catacombs but prominent Roman tombs containing mummified Romans have been found. The Ancient Egyptian religion finally collapsed when Christianity was imposed on the Egyptian population by the Romans. Each section of the History of Egyptian Tombs addresses all topics and provides interesting facts and information about the Golden Age of Pharaohs and of Egypt. The Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of the Pharaoh - Tutankhamun and the History of Egyptian Tombs.
THE ROYAL TOMBS
The mastaba was the earliest and simplest tomb structure. It consisted of a single elevated platform and was built of mud-brick. These structures were not particularly elaborate and were not decorated. In the 3rd dynasty (Old Kingdom) Imhotep built the step pyramid for Zoser. This structure was the first all stone monument and was, of course, the inspiration for the true pyramids that followed, culminating into the pyramids of Giza, and in particular the great pyramid of Khufu.
The pyramids were the major achievements of the 4th dynasty - approximately 2500 BC (Old Kingdom) - and were built for Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. These structures are truly awesome. The pyramid of Khufu, for example:
1. Contains over 2,300,000 stones
2. The base is 13 square acres, 568,500 sq. ft, or 7 city blocks
3. The side of each base is 754 feet, or more than 2 football fields
4. The pyramid weights 6.5 million tons
5. Each stone weighs approximately 2.5 tons
6. And is 481 feet tall
Because the king was revered as God, his tomb (the pyramid) was constructed to last forever, thus ensuring the continuing prosperity of the king in his afterlife. Like the early mastabas, the 4th dynasty pyramids had no decorations.
The 5th dynasty (Old Kingdom) which saw the construction of more modest pyramids contained the first decorations. These decorations took the form of hieroglyphic writings - known as the Pyramid Texts - which provide guidelines and instructions on how to ensure safe voyage through the nether world and the eternal life thereafter. The construction of the pyramids disappeared during the first intermediate period and attempts for revival during the Middle Kingdom were far from successful.
A very different approach was taken in the New Kingdom. Very elaborate, deep underground tombs were the norm. Interestingly these were constructed in an area dominated by a huge natural pyramid-shaped formation. Part of the reason for this change was to conceal the tombs from robbers. The New Kingdom saw perhaps the most glorious tombs. These tombs were decorated with scenes of the journey that the king (or queen) would take as they moved from this life to the afterlife and showing the King in the presence of major deities and making offerings to them. The scenes were highly colored and drawn from vignettes from the book of the dead and related subjects.
Each tomb, however, could look dramatically different as experimentation with different styles was undertaken are samples from the tombs of Tutmosis III, Horemhab, and Queen Nefertari.
THE TOMBS OF THE NOBELMEN
The noblemen (the ranking government officials) and high priests had decidedly more modest tombs. In the Old Kingdom, while pyramids were being built for kings, the noblemen were buried in mastabas. These mastabas were decorated with non-religious scenes depicting the daily life and official duties of the nobleman. Association of afterlife in the company of Gods was reserved for the kings. The noblemen's tombs served more as a place where offering for the deceased can be made.
Starting with the Middle Kingdom and progressively through the New Kingdom democratization of religion began to be the norm. Tombs of the noblemen continued to depict their daily activities as well as scenes with strong religious overtones. Common people were expected to be in the company of Gods, who will see to it that they will be favorably judged and will make it safely through the arduous voyage in the nether world to emerge in paradise, where they will enjoy eternal life. The tombs of the New Kingdom's noblemen are beautifully decorated with such scenes. Unlike the royal tombs, which are confined to specific norms, the private tombs' decorations often break with these norms and are therefore artistically more pleasing.
THE TOMBS OF THE WORKERS
A special type of tombs known from the New Kingdom is those of the workers who built the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Although these were people of limited resources, they were well-equipped and skilled in tomb building. Because of their valued contribution to the royal families and noble elite to tomb construction, they were permitted to build their own "house of eternity". The tombs of the workers were notably more modest than those of the kings or noblemen - typically 1/5 the size of the noblemen's tombs which themselves were 1/5 the size of the kings. These tombs, not constrained by long traditions, tend to be much more charming, and show an incredible diversity in their decorations. The tombs of Pashedu, Anher-Khau, and Sennedjem, all dating to the 19th Dynasty can be seen to be dramatically different. Note also how the democratization of religion made its way down to the workers.