Ancient Egyptian Art and Architecture

Jaela Miner Honors World Civilizations 10 Period 2B

Although the Egyptians are the most well-known for their spectacular pyramids and the gigantic Sphinx, both of which withstood time to become some of the few remaining Wonders of the Ancient World, these monuments are not the only architectural achievements the ancient Egyptians made.

Some of the lesser-known buildings and monuments of ancient Egypt are

The Obelisks The Temple of Karnack The Temple of Luxor The Lighthouse at Alexandria

Supplies and Labor

Architecture in ancient Egypt was built using mud bricks and stone. No mortar was used, so stones were cut precisely to fit together perfectly. The Egyptians were possibly the first to use simple machines such as levers, pulleys, and ramps, but the majority of the labor was done by hand.

The Obelisks
Built during the rule of Queen Hatshepsut, the obelisks were massive towering structures, some reaching over 100 feet in height. Every one was chiseled from a single piece of stone. These huge monuments were the inspiration for the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C.

An ancient Obelisk

The Washington Monument, inspired by the Obelisks of Ancient Egypt

The Temple of Karnack

The largest temple in both the ancient and modern world, the Temple of Karnack is a sprawling complex outside the city of Luxor. The Temple of Karnack was dedicated to the god Amun. It took nearly thirteen hundred years, and hundreds of generations of Egyptian laborers, before it was complete.

The Temple of Karnak

The Temple of Luxor

The Temple of Luxor was built mainly as a place to celebrate the Festival of Opet, the most important yearly festival to the ancient Egyptians. The temple itself was built by Amenhotep the Third and was dedicated to the gods Amon-Re, Mut, and Khons.

The Temple of Luxor

The Lighthouse at Alexandria

The Lighthouse at Alexandria was ancient Egypts last great architectural accomplishment. It was built during the 3rd century B.C. by Ptolemy Philadelphus, and after completion, was the site of a festival honoring Ptolemys parents.

The Lighthouse at Alexandria