Introduction
The history of architecture has evolved in many diverse settings and civilizations throughout the centuries. Architectural history is a worldwide history reverting to ancient Mesopotamians, Egyptians, Greek cultures, and more. According to Mahdi, “the spread of western architectural styles has become imperative for us to search for the identity of our heritage in the various arts and search for identity in dealing with architectural facades to show the role of heritage in reviving the cultural legacies of the Egyptian society” (Mahdi 2018, 20). Architectural history is the ideal topic for students interested in combining art, cultural affairs, and the design of all firms and is taught in the leading schools of architecture, notably at the Architecture and Planning School MIT. As structures and homes are among the principal objects left behind by any civil society, architectural history is, at its core, a history of human civilization. The topic of architectural history covers the religious, lander, civilian, naval, and military architecture, which give insights into the historical, cultural, and geographic importance of creating the world around us. The architectural history of the architecture is also studied. An awareness of the history of architecture may assist people on the ground in better performance with current equipment such as architectural design software.
Architects produce designs, modifications, and refurbishments for new construction projects. They utilize their know-how and high-level building drawing abilities to create functional, safe, ecological, and ergonomically attractive structures. An architect is someone fond of designing and specially trained and authorized to work on building planning and design. The elements of the position of an architect are as diverse and intriguing as their work: these are experts that lead the process of constructing usable places, from conception and design to their complete execution. Architecture is a science-based art that creates spaces where people may live, eat, work and play. As a leader in various projects, from something so small as the addition of a person to something important like a clinic, a university campus, or a whole neighborhood, an architect’s role is to bring the creative ideas and views of the customer together and take the needs of those who use the new area into consideration.
The characteristics that distinguish an architectural project from other built structures are that the work is suitable for people in general and adaptable to certain human activities and that the building is stable and permanent. The experience and ideas are communicated in the form of it. The architecture must fulfill all of these requirements. The second is constant, whereas the first and third change depending on their social role. The first and third are relative. When the purpose, like at a factory, is primarily utilitarian, communication is less important. The usefulness is a minor consideration if the role is expressive, mainly like in a magnificent tomb. Utility and communications may also be of equal significance in some structures like churches and town halls. This work was written in order to get acquainted with the factors influencing Egyptian architecture, with an example in the form of the pyramid of Cheops.
Types of architect
The work of an architect involves various professions, which together create the masterpieces of world architecture, from the planning to the selection of materials suitable for the natural conditions to the building itself. All known buildings have gone through a long stage of reasoning in order to start construction. For further discussion, it should be considered the primary professions in the field of architecture.
Architect
A position as a fully certified Architect will probably be complex, intriguing, and inspiring from the most apparent architectural career, placing a person on the edge of emerging technologies to enhance people’s lives while developing your imagination. As builders, they will work directly with customers and users to design newer buildings or modify existing buildings or make them practical, safe, and cost-effective.
Architectural Technologist
In this job, the person will utilize the knowledge and expertise in science and engineering to develop solid and durable buildings and refurbishments, which they are also known as architectural technologists. The individual prepares and offers design suggestions and advice on technical problems using mechanical design (CAD) and conventional drawing approaches. Once again, work experience is essential in applying for employment in this field and allows the individual to learn how architectural projects are managed.
Interior and Spatial Designer
Indoor and space designers design or renovate interior spaces, furniture, and fitting using their architectural, creative design, and project management capabilities to provide beautiful and efficient places. However, other designers focus on the aesthetic instead of the construction of the interior spaces entirely. The person can operate in various business, household, or recreational contexts to understand a customer’s demands while getting resources and products and preserving his budget.
Building Surveyor
As a building surveyor, it would be appropriate to preserve, alter, mend, renovate and restore existing structures if they have problems and great interest in the design and construction of the buildings. Building investigators typically take cautious steps to maintain and make structures more sustainable. They are also involved in the construction of buildings. Again it is strongly advised to have pre-employment experience, to give an insight into how ideas are applied to the actual world and possibly even to pay for jobs via contacts.
Town Planner
Students with a passion for development, regeneration, and sustainability may be interested in working as a city planners to manage rural areas, cities, and villages and improve them. The objective of the work is to balance the competing requirements of the local environment, the people, and business and consider creative and sustainable solutions to growth on behalf of everyone in the region and alongside other experts such as architects. The person needs excellent multi-tasking abilities, a commercial sense, details, and confidence to listen to and negotiate for a wide array of people to become a city planner.
Production Designer
The position of production designer as a film, TV, and theater designer would be perfect for graduates interested in the entertainment business. As a producer, the individual works closely with the producer and manager and employs his creative taste to build a complete visual framework for their project. Some production designers specialize exclusively in theater and stage design, or overlap across media forms might occur. This is not an entry-level position; therefore, the person must start working as a film industry runner. They might also participate in theatrical and internship groups of students.
Egyptian art and architecture
Archaeological remains from Egypt and Nubia dating back to the first three millennia b.c. include ancient architectural structures, sculptures, paintings, and applied arts. A significant part of Egypt’s political history was reflected in its art. Still, it was dependent on the firmly held conviction in the stability of the natural, divinely created order. According to Ossendrijver and Winkler, “Mesopotamian influence on the culture of ancient Egypt is well attested or has been suggested in areas such as literature, religious beliefs, divination, mathematics, and astral science” (Ossendrijver and Winkler, 2018, 382). Both architecture and visual art were concerned with conserving forms and customs that were believed to represent the purity of the universe at the moment of creation and express the proper connection between humans, the monarch, and the pantheon of gods. As a result, Egyptian art appears to be resistive to evolution and the exercise of unique creative judgment. However, Egyptian artists from every historical era came up with diverse answers to the conceptual problems they faced. Mastabas were the earliest tombs used for priests and high-ranking dignitaries to be buried in. For the next life, most of them possessed many storage chambers. Due to thefts, a stairway Mastaba tomb was eventually selected. Earlier mastaba structures at Giza were equipped with fake doors and other safety measures.
Geographical features
Early Egyptian civilization dates back to around 5,000 years ago and is considered to be one of the world’s oldest civilizations. Ancient Egyptians employed a variety of geographical elements in their daily lives. Ancient Egypt’s economy and religion benefited from Egypt’s topography. The Nile River was Egypt’s most prominent geographic feature. Egypt would not have existed without the Nile River. Fishing and crop-growing on the Nile provided Egyptians with sustenance, while water was used for drinking, washing, agriculture, and transportation. It flooded every year, spreading silt along the riverbanks as a result of its flooding. The Egyptians farmed their harvests on this rich region, known as the“black land” Egyptians also used papyrus, which grew along the river banks, to write and preserve records. As the Nile grew farther away, the desert, or “red country,” appeared. As a natural defense against enemy invasion, the red soil served as a barrier.
Economy and religion were also influenced by the geography of ancient Egypt. They believed in numerous gods. They believed in Hapi, the Nile god whom they thought was in charge of regulating the flow of the Nile every year. Because of the Nile floods, Egypt’s economy relied heavily on agriculture. In addition, commerce had a significant role in Egypt’s economy. Nile transit made trade simple for the Ancient Egyptians.
Ancient Egypt had a particularly distinctive topography, which made it possible for Egypt to develop a very successful civilization. Nile River, desert, and transportation are just a few examples of how Egypt’s topography impacted Ancient Egyptians’ life. Their religion and economics were also molded by learning to adapt to Egypt’s terrain, and they will be regarded as a magnificent civilization forever.
Pyramid of khufu as an architectural landmark
It was a relatively sophisticated and frequently extravagant form of architecture in Egypt. According to Samy Abdeen, “Egypt faces a great shortage in having a distinctive architectural identity, out of linkage absence with its inherited architectural legacy.” (Samy Abdeen, 2020, 327). The tomb was constructed to shelter a body from defilement and supply it with tangible items to assure its ongoing presence after death. People might design a portion of the tomb with sceneries that would allow the individual to miraculously pursue a hereafter comparable to and compatible with their worldly experience. For a monarch, the tomb was a means of achieving his private eternity with the gods in a heavenly afterlife.
Most tombs were divided into two main sections, the burial chamber and the chapel, where gifts could be given to the dead. A mortuary temple began to replace the chapel in royal funerals throughout the New Kingdom. We shall examine funeral temples that are not part of the funerary complex as part of the temples in the general debate.
One of the main structures of the royal funeral complex was the pyramid. There were two temples connected by a causeway, which were crucial components. The royal body was received at the valley temple, which was erected on the brink of the desert cliff. A gigantic granite block building with enormous alabaster floor slabs, Khafre is the most magnificent valley temple. There are low-relief wall carvings and a star-adorned ceiling on the causeway that leads to the pyramid of King Unas of the 5th Dynasty. Doorways and magnificent monolithic columns with palm capitals characterize the pyramid temple of Unas, which makes excellent use of granite for architectural features.
One of the seven ancient global marvels is still standing today: the Giza pyramid complex. It comprises the vast pyramid of Cheops (Khufu), the pyramid of Chephren (Khafre), the lesser pyramid of Mykerinus (Menkaure), the great Sphinx, and numerous lower pyramids and presenting temples. A testament to the ancient Egyptians’ engineering capabilities, these three pyramid structures are a testament to their abilities. The Great Pyramid of Cheops (Khufu) is the biggest and occupies an area of 13 acres. A 52-degree angle is formed by the four sides of the compass that face the cardinal directions. Authentic smooth limestone casing may be visible on two of the three pyramids but not on Mykerinus.
The genuine pyramid, exemplified as the Great Pyramid of King Khufu of the 4th dynasty at Al-Jzah, was the most distinctive style of tomb construction during the Old Kingdom. According to Morishima et al., “the great pyramid, or Khufu’s Pyramid, was built on the Giza plateau in Egypt during the fourth dynasty by the pharaoh Khufu (Cheops), who reigned from 2509 BC to 2483 BC.” (Morishima et al., 2017, 386). During the reign of Snefru, Khufu’s father, the edifice achieved its total perfection. Only Khufu’s successor, Khafre’s pyramid, came close to matching the Great Pyramid in size and idealization. The Great Pyramid’s basic dimensions sufficiently convey its grandeur, monumentality, and accuracy; its base area is little more than 13 acres. The Grand Gallery, with its corbelled ceiling, and the limestone King’s Bedroom, with five relief chambers above, are two more notable aspects of its architecture.
In Khufu’s pyramid, the internal chambers and passages include a variety of mysterious characteristics. An unfinished underground room and a series of ‘air shafts’ extending from the top bedrooms are also mysteriously located. In recent years, tiny robots have been used to investigate these caves, but a sequence of obstructing stones has hidden the pathways. It is necessary to climb up a tight ascent chamber to reach the Grand Gallery. The 26-foot-high corbelled corridor leads to the Pharaoh’s Bedroom, which is made of red stone imported from Aswan’s southern quarries. To help spread the load of the mountains of masonry that towers above the King’s Chamber are five stress-relieving chambers made of massive granite blocks. Its king’s sarcophagus, which is similarly made of red granite, is empty. Vast granite stones were used to close the temple complex, and limestone was used to fill up the shaft’s entrance to hide it.
In comparison, the pyramids erected for the Old Kingdom’s later rulers and most Middle Kingdom kings were smaller and less well-made than those created for their predecessors. King Mentuhotep II of the 11th Dynasty, however, has a tomb that is of particular importance. Essential elements of this construction included: a rectangular structure, tiered porticoes, an open court, and a hypostyle hall nestled into the mountainside.
Since the pyramid was so large and impressive, tomb raiders were attracted to it as well. A pyramid-like hill commanded a distant valley at Thebes during the New Kingdom, which was intended to stop the looting and destruction of royal graves. Deep in the limestone of the Valley of the Kings, tombs were carved that had no visible structure. As early as the Ramessid era, graves were utterly concealed from view. Their designs varied but generally comprised a series of passageways that opened into chambers and led to a vast burial chamber at the bottom of the mountain. There are 328 feet in length to Seti I’s tomb, an impressive burial chamber with a barrel-shaped ceiling representing heaven. Tanis, a delta city in Egypt’s Nile River delta, was deserted by its inhabitants near the end of the 20th dynasty. A subsequent imperial tomb in Egypt has never been found.
Factors influencing architecture
Geographical
Due to their location in the Nile Valley’s farmed and flooded area, most ancient Egyptian settlements have been destroyed. However, numerous temple structures and tombs have remained because they were constructed on land that was not impacted by the Nile flood. As a result, any examination of Egyptian architecture will favor funeral and religious structures. Some mudbrick constructions in Egypt have survived despite the dry, hot environment because they have evaded the damaging impacts of water or man.
On the eastern bank of the Nile, a small, rich strip of alluvial soil made agriculture feasible, which led to the establishment of towns and communities. Satellite imagery reveals this fertile strip of land. The western bank of the Nile was known as the valley of the dead, where the Egyptians erected their pyramids and tombs. Elginians regard the Nile river to be sacred since it provides Egypt with its life-giving water supply.
Egyptian architecture’s distinctiveness was mainly influenced by geography. Because the Nile provided Egypt with the most reliable agricultural system in the ancient world, arts and crafts thrived. Either way, Egypt’s protection from both sides was aided by the deserts and the sea, which discouraged significant invasions for over two thousand years. Artists and artisans could make use of the minerals and beautiful stones that were abundant in the desert. The Egyptians were in desperate need of excellent wood, which prompted them to go on overseas missions to Lebanon, Somalia, and tropical Africa. In general, the quest for precious resources dictated foreign policy directions and commercial routes. As a result, the Egyptian material culture was enriched. In addition, see Ancient Middle Eastern Religions and Egypt for further information on these topics.
Geological
Egyptian limestone was found in the north of the country, while sandstone was found in the center, and granite was found in the country’s south. It owes a large part to Egyptian mining methods, transporting and lifting massive stone slabs to place. According to Wong, “for much of the First Dynasty, innovation in stone architecture was driven by developments in the private realm, resulting from favorable geology in Lower Egypt” (Wong, 2021, 53). Stone was utilized for pyramids and temples, while Nile mud bricks and chopped straw were employed for palaces & dwellings.
Ancient Egypt’s two primary construction materials were unbaked mud brick and stone. Tombs, the eternities of the deceased, and temples, the everlasting homes of the gods, were primarily constructed of stone throughout the Old Kingdom. According to Azad and Abhik, “due to the scarcity of wood, the two predominant building materials used in ancient Egypt were sun-baked mud brick and stone, mainly limestone, but also sandstone and granite in considerable quantities” (Azad and Barua, 2017, 1). In addition to royal palaces, mudbrick was also employed to create fortifications, the massive walls of temple precincts and cities, and subordinate temple buildings.
For its civilization to flourish, Egypt had easy access to resources due to its advantageous geological location. Gold, copper, and turquoise were accessible in addition to the fertile soil. There were many more building materials available than mudbrick for temples and administrative structures, tombs and cemeteries, and pavements and sculptures. Egypt’s riches were built on a foundation of gold. With water provided by an irrigation system, lush land in the Nile River floodplain might produce a substantial food surplus that may serve as the foundation for a whole civilization. Egypt’s civilization developed in natural isolation from invaders because of geological obstacles reflecting the region’s physical geology and environment.
Climate
Egypt enjoys a pleasant sun-filled climate with relatively little rain, which has allowed its historic buildings to remain in excellent condition. Egyptian architecture is distinguished by the absence of windows since doorways and roof slits provided adequate light for interiors. There were no windows or doors in the walls. They also served as a surface for “hieroglyphics,” which is a script with visual representations. Flat roofs with thick stone blocks were also used as a result of the lack of rainfall.
Arid and scorching, Egypt is part of North Africa’s immense desert. The Nile River runs through the country’s small valley, which is the only water source in this vast, barren land. According to Kushnir and Stein, “the Nile summer flood levels were shallow during the 10th and 11th centuries, as is also recorded in a large number of historical chronicles that described a large cluster of droughts that led to dire human strife associated with famine, pestilence, and conflict” (Kushnir and Stein, 2019, 29). Scorching temperatures, practically no rain, and a vast daytime difference during the year define this climate zone’s climate. Since ancient times, Egyptians have sought to decrease heat effects and offer shade in a variety of methods in order to feel comfortable in their surroundings. Many of Egypt’s classic structures were viewed on a field trip.
Religious
The impact of religion on the area of architecture has sparked much interest. The ancient rituals of worship did not require an indoor location, but Buddhism, on the other hand, believed in the preservation of precious human remains and items. As a result, they discovered that they need an inside location as well as the structure. Ammon, the sun deity, and Osiris, the guy killed and resurrected to eternal life, are the two pillars of Egyptian religion. The sunlight, moonlight, stars, and animals were all represented by different gods in Egyptian religion. They built tombs and pyramids because they believed that there was life after death.
Religious ideas shaped the Egyptians’ worldview, and most of their art and architecture reflected their religious beliefs and cult activities. Art reflected ritual and religion because the demands of ritual acts directly influenced the forms of creative expression. As a result, Egyptian architecture was heavily influenced by religious structures, particularly temples, where the gods were worshipped with ceremonies and gifts. According to Voss et al., “ancient man, as far as religion was concerned, looked to nature and the universe” (Voss et al., 2018, 4). The Egyptian pharaoh was regarded as a semi-divine connection between the gods and the people, and he played a significant religious and social role as patron of the arts and architecture.
Social
While cultivation was difficult due to the annual floods, the pharaoh, who was thought to be a descendant of the sun god, led a dictatorial regime that used massive armies of workers to create magnificent structures. The tomb wall sculptures show social life in vivid detail. Egypt’s monuments are littered with references to slave labor, yet priests maintain a high social status.
Historical
Historians have classified the Pharaohs who governed Egypt into 30 dynasties and three divisions. Ancient kingdom – Mastabas were erected during the 3rd dynasty, while most pyramids were built during the 4th dynasty. The magnificent temple of Ammon at Karnak was built by the 12th dynasty during the Middle Kingdom. Der-el-Bahari temple was built by queen Hatsheput in a new kingdom in Thebes, which was the capital. Amenophis III erected the temple at Luxor, while Rameses II finished the hypostyle hall at Ammon Temple and the rock temple at Abu Simbel and the Ramesseum at Thebes, mainly with the help of Hebrew slaves.
Astronomical
Specific astrological alignments are unquestionably followed by the world’s most renowned burial structures, the Pyramids. Ancient Egyptians could locate Polaris, the Pole Star, and construct a real north-south axis. They are oriented like a compass on the Giza Plateau outside Cairo, which is where Cheops, Khafre, and Menkaure’s pyramids are located. Throughout the building project, solar geometry played a critical role.
Conclusion
Many different cultures and environments have contributed to the development of architecture throughout history. Ancient Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations, as well as Greek civilizations, are all part of architectural history. In architectural history, people examine the religious, lander, and civilian architecture and naval and military architecture to better understand the world’s historical, cultural, and geographic significance.
Ancient architectural buildings, sculptures, paintings, and applied arts have been discovered in Egypt and Nubia going back to the first three millennia b.c. In Egypt’s art, a large portion of its political history was captured. Nevertheless, it was based on a deep belief in the stability of the natural, divinely created order, which was firmly believed. At the time of creation, both architecture and visual art were concerned with preserving forms and practices that were considered to reflect purity and convey the correct link between humans, monarchs, and gods.
As one of the oldest civilizations in the world, early Egyptian civilization goes back about 5,000 years. Geographical factors played an essential role in the daily life of Ancient Egyptians. Egypt’s geography helped the economics and religion of ancient Egypt. In terms of geography, the Nile River was Egypt’s most significant feature. Without the Nile River, Egypt would not exist. Ancient Egypt’s topography also had an impact on the economy and religion. People in the area believed in a wide variety of gods.
King Khufu’s Great Pyramid at Al-Jzah, a real pyramid, was the unique tomb building type throughout the Old Kingdom. The structure was completed during the reign of Khufu’s father, Snefru. Aside from Khafre’s pyramid, the Great Pyramid was the only one that came near in size and perfection. Although the Great Pyramid’s base area is less than 13 acres, its fundamental measurements are sufficient in conveying its majesty, monumentality, and precision. Architecture highlights include the Grand Gallery, its corbelled ceiling, and the limestone King’s Bedroom, with five relief chambers above.
A sunny environment and minimal rain have helped Egypt’s historic structures to maintain their superb condition. Notably, Egyptian architecture is devoid of windows, as doors and roof-lit openings supplied enough interiors. The effect of religion on architecture has prompted a great deal of discussion. They are Ammon, the sun god, and Osiris, the man who was murdered and raised to eternal life. In Egyptian religion, various gods symbolized the sun, moon, stars, and animals. It was because they thought that there was life after death that they constructed tombs and pyramids. Temples, where the gods were worshipped with rites and offerings, significantly impacted Egyptian architecture. A semi-divine link between the gods and humanity, the Egyptian pharaoh was a patron of the arts and architecture and had an important religious and social role. The Pyramids, the world’s most famous burial monuments, adhere to specific astronomical alignments without a doubt. Polaris, the Pole Star, could be found to create an actual north-south axis by the ancient Egyptians. The pyramids of Cheops, Khafre, and Menkaure are located on the Giza Plateau outside of Cairo, and they are aligned like a compass.
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