Essay Sample about Ancient Egyptian Funerary Architecture and Artifacts

Some of the most incredible ancient architecture can be found in Egypt, yet most people do not understand the religious significance behind the creation of ancient Egyptian architecture. Ancient Egyptians represented their beliefs of the afterlife and funerary practices through intricate tombs, statues, and artwork. The construction of these ornate structures, specifically The Great Pyramids, has puzzled historians and archeologists for years. Innumerable theories have been fabricated about the construction, some are more absurd than others, and some theories, like Löhner’s Rope Roll, provides a more plausible explanation of how the pyramids were built. And finally, it may be surprising to some, but ancient Egyptian funerary practices share many similarities with contemporary practices and beliefs. The longtime interest and study of ancient Egypt reveals a complex belief system preserved by funerary architecture and artifacts.

The religious beliefs of the Egyptian state are preserved in their funerary architecture, which was designed to last for an eternity. Ancient Egyptians believe that the ka, essentially the soul of the deceased individual, lives on after death and needs an eternal place to stay, hence the immense effort to ensure the tombs are durable structures and the ornate details and nature of the tombs (The British Museum). The elaborate tombs and temples that we imagine when we think of ancient Egypt were only created for people of status; ordinary people were buried in shallow graves. Funerary architecture was built to last as shown by the ruins still standing today because they were made of stone, unlike the structures used for daily life. One of the most well-known ancient Egyptian funerary structures is the Great Pyramids of Giza, or Khufu’s pyramid. Pyramids are constructed as tombs to house the physical body of the deceased in a sarcophagus, as well as luxurious objects for the deceased to enjoy in the afterlife. The items and details in the temple serve a purpose to who it is commemorating as an aid to them in the afterlife and their journey to the afterlife. Frequently there are depictions and statues of the god of death and the afterlife, Osiris, found in the tombs to aid the deceased. Statues are a prominent form of art in ancient Egyptian funerary traditions, and statues of the deceased individual are created and placed in the tomb to serve as a vessel for when the ka returns to the physical world (The British Museum).

A great amount of information can be observed through what is left of these ancient Egyptian structures and the artifacts found inside of them. The changes in the dynasties’ beliefs over time can be observed; different dynasties and rulers affected funerary architecture based on how they wanted to be commemorated and what they commissioned for their remembrance. For example, The Pyramid of Djoser, a ziggurat, and the Great Pyramids were constructed during the Old Kingdom era. Queen Hatshepsut’s funerary temple is carved into the side of a mountain and was constructed during the New Kingdom era (Harris and Zucker). The funerary traditions changed throughout the Three Kingdoms based on how the current Pharaoh viewed the past, whether they wanted to celebrate previous traditions or focus on change. 

Archeologists and historians have innumerable theories about how this ancient civilization created such incredible and intricate stone structures, especially without modern technology. Some go as far as to theorize the involvement of extraterrestrial beings in the construction of the pyramids. Franz Löhner proposes the most satisfactory explanation of Khufu’s pyramid construction in 1993 in the book Der Bau der Cheops-Pyramide. Löhner theorizes the use of a rope roll, “a small wooden stand made with planks and a movable beam with copper bearings over which a rope can be deflected and turned around,” to move the 2.5 ton stone up the side of the pyramids (Löhner, Franz). This theory explains that the Egyptians would have constructed a set of tracks on the sides, placed two rope rolls in a casing stone about 30-37 meters high, and then a ‘hauling team’ would walk down the side of the pyramid while the stone is going up on the track. This method would work because the hauling team would be using their own body weight and strength going downwards to move the block up. Löhner calculates that the Egyptians would have only needed the labor force of about seven thousand to construct Khufu’s pyramid, making the rope roll theory more plausible compared to the twenty to thirty thousand men required, using other methods. By any construction method, the Great Pyramids and other incredible structures prove immense dedication to the ancient Egyptians’ funerary traditions and arts.

Although the ancient Egyptians went to extraordinary measures in their funerary practices, there are many underlying similarities of ancient Egyptian funerary art, rituals, architecture, and religious beliefs that are translated into contemporary funerary practices and beliefs. The ancient Egyptians created the practice of mummification, and although modern society does not actively mummify the deceased, we do practice body preservation when burying people in caskets to delay the process of decay. Another example is found across many cultures; the dead are buried with their most valuable physical objects. Today, it is common to bury a loved one with their jewelry which is comparable to burying a Pharoah with gold and jewels. Another comparison would be a pyramid compared to a mausoleum; significant people are not buried in the ground, but their body is placed in an ornate usually marble structure to signify their high status. This concept is the same as a pyramid, a large elaborate tomb built to declare the significance of the deceased individual. Although contemporary funerary practices are not as grandeur as the ancient Egyptian’s, there are still many similar aspects.

Ancient Egyptian architecture and artifacts have been a longtime interest to many people worldwide, and through several scientific studies and excavations in Egypt, a complex civilization with elaborate architecture and fascinating artifacts is uncovered. For centuries, the world has admired the remnants of this ancient society, and ancient Egypt will forever be captivating.

Works Cited

The British Museum. “The British Museum - Book of the Dead (Tom Hiddleston).” YouTube, uploaded by Samirajean H. Nagy, 2 Jan. 2014, www.youtube.com/watch?v=6GpVEAK-n6Y.

Harris, Beth, and Steven Zucker. “Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut and Large Kneeling Statue, New Kingdom, Egypt.” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, 2016, www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/ancient-mediterranean-ap/ancient-egypt-ap/v/mortuary-temple-of-hatshepsut-and-large-kneeling-statue-new-kingdom-egypt. 

Löhner, Franz. “Franz Löhner's Rope Roll.” Translated by Zuberbühler Zuberbühler, Building the Great Pyramid, 1 Jan. 1970, www.cheops-pyramide.ch/khufu-pyramid/khufu-numbers.html.