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Pyramid complex of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure
No full textPyramid of Khafre (second largest, ca. 2520-2494 BCE), view up the east face; Egyptian governorate just west of Cairo, site of a major royal necropolis of the Old Kingdom capital of Memphis. The necropolis, containing the 4th Dynasty (ac. 2575-ac. 2465 BCE) pyramid complexes of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus (Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure) and their associated satellite burials, is divided by a broad wadi into two areas: the higher plateau, with the pyramid complexes, Great Sphinx and mastaba fields, and other private tombs on an escarpment to the south-west. Although Giza's period of greatest importance was during the Old Kingdom (ca. 2575-ca. 2150 BCE), the site underwent revivals in the New Kingdom (ca. 1540-ca. 1075 BCE) and the Saite period (ca. 664-525 BCE). Most of the tombs were robbed in antiquity, and much of the original casing of the monuments has been quarried away, considerably altering their appearance. In the late 20th century the site has come under threat from rising ground water, which is slowly destroying the monuments. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 1/15/2008
Red Pyramid
No full textThe entrance the pyramid, on the north face; Dahshur is the site of an ancient Egyptian necropolis consisting of Old and Middle Kingdom pyramids, on the west bank of the Nile, 75 km south of Cairo. The oldest pyramid is that of King Sneferu (reigned ca. 2575-ca. 2551 BCE), which is the first to have been designed from the start as a true pyramid. The angle of its sides was decreased halfway up, giving it a rhomboidal appearance, hence its name of Bent Pyramid. Sneferu's other monument, the Red Pyramid, lies 2 km north of the Bent Pyramid. The angle of its sides is the same as that of the upper part of its southern predecessor. Although the pyramid's casing was almost completely removed by later builders, its capstone has been found; this pyramidion (Cairo, Egyptian Museum) is the oldest so far discovered and the only one surviving from the Old Kingdom. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 1/16/2008
Pyramid complex of Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure
No full textPyramid of Khufu (largest and oldest, ca. 2551-ca. 2528 BCE), the south face; Egyptian governorate just west of Cairo, site of a major royal necropolis of the Old Kingdom capital of Memphis. The necropolis, containing the 4th Dynasty (ac. 2575-ac. 2465 BCE) pyramid complexes of Cheops, Chephren and Mycerinus (Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure) and their associated satellite burials, is divided by a broad wadi into two areas: the higher plateau, with the pyramid complexes, Great Sphinx and mastaba fields, and other private tombs on an escarpment to the south-west. Although Giza's period of greatest importance was during the Old Kingdom (ca. 2575-ca. 2150 BCE), the site underwent revivals in the New Kingdom (ca. 1540-ca. 1075 BCE) and the Saite period (ca. 664-525 BCE). Most of the tombs were robbed in antiquity, and much of the original casing of the monuments has been quarried away, considerably altering their appearance. In the late 20th century the site has come under threat from rising ground water, which is slowly destroying the monuments. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 1/15/2008
Necropolis of Giza; Mastaba and Rock-cut Tombs
No full textThe south flank of a rock-cut tomb, the mastaba of Queen Khentkawes (lived ca. 2460 BCE), looking west towards the pyramid of Menkaure; Numerous burials of private individuals, many of whom had held office in the Giza necropolis during their lifetimes, are associated with the royal burials. These mastabas and rock-cut tombs were gifts from the king in return for loyal service and may have been constructed by royal craftsmen. The original mastaba fields lying to the west, south and east of the Great Pyramids were laid out in regular lines, but later cemeteries grew up more haphazardly. Most of the tombs conform to a standard plan comprising a storeroom, an offering room and a burial chamber; a chapel in the superstructure contained one or more offering stelae by means of which the deceased and members of his family could enjoy sustenance in the next world. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 1/15/2008
Red Pyramid
No full textRed Pyramid, east face, with remains of mortuary temple; Dahshur is the site of an ancient Egyptian necropolis consisting of Old and Middle Kingdom pyramids, on the west bank of the Nile, 75 km south of Cairo. The oldest pyramid is that of King Sneferu (reigned ca. 2575-ca. 2551 BCE), which is the first to have been designed from the start as a true pyramid. The angle of its sides was decreased halfway up, giving it a rhomboidal appearance, hence its name of Bent Pyramid. Sneferu's other monument, the Red Pyramid, lies 2 km north of the Bent Pyramid. The angle of its sides is the same as that of the upper part of its southern predecessor. Although the pyramid's casing was almost completely removed by later builders, its capstone has been found; this pyramidion (Cairo, Egyptian Museum) is the oldest so far discovered and the only one surviving from the Old Kingdom. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 1/16/2008
Necropolis of Giza; Mastaba and Rock-cut Tombs
No full textRock-cut tombs located southeast of the Pyramid of Khafre, with the Pyramid of Khufu in the background at right; Numerous burials of private individuals, many of whom had held office in the Giza necropolis during their lifetimes, are associated with the royal burials. These mastabas and rock-cut tombs were gifts from the king in return for loyal service and may have been constructed by royal craftsmen. The original mastaba fields lying to the west, south and east of the Great Pyramids were laid out in regular lines, but later cemeteries grew up more haphazardly. Most of the tombs conform to a standard plan comprising a storeroom, an offering room and a burial chamber; a chapel in the superstructure contained one or more offering stelae by means of which the deceased and members of his family could enjoy sustenance in the next world. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 1/15/2008
Necropolis of Giza; Mastaba and Rock-cut Tombs
No full textGeneral view of mastaba tombs, located southeast of the Pyramid of Khufu, showing an entrance; Numerous burials of private individuals, many of whom had held office in the Giza necropolis during their lifetimes, are associated with the royal burials. These mastabas and rock-cut tombs were gifts from the king in return for loyal service and may have been constructed by royal craftsmen. The original mastaba fields lying to the west, south and east of the Great Pyramids were laid out in regular lines, but later cemeteries grew up more haphazardly. Most of the tombs conform to a standard plan comprising a storeroom, an offering room and a burial chamber; a chapel in the superstructure contained one or more offering stelae by means of which the deceased and members of his family could enjoy sustenance in the next world. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 1/15/2008
Necropolis of Giza; Mastaba and Rock-cut Tombs
No full textGeneral view of mastaba tombs, located southeast of the Pyramid of Khufu, with the pyramid of Khafre in the background; Numerous burials of private individuals, many of whom had held office in the Giza necropolis during their lifetimes, are associated with the royal burials. These mastabas and rock-cut tombs were gifts from the king in return for loyal service and may have been constructed by royal craftsmen. The original mastaba fields lying to the west, south and east of the Great Pyramids were laid out in regular lines, but later cemeteries grew up more haphazardly. Most of the tombs conform to a standard plan comprising a storeroom, an offering room and a burial chamber; a chapel in the superstructure contained one or more offering stelae by means of which the deceased and members of his family could enjoy sustenance in the next world. Source: Grove Art Online; http://www.groveart.com/ (accessed 1/15/2008