Handout 3

Egypt
Early Dynastic Period
1Palette of King Narmer- Early Dynastic 3000-2920 BC (2,500 BC)

This is a monumental make-up palette. It is very large. Depicts King Narmer. Most
famous interpretation says that he has defeated the pharaoh of lower Egypt. He is
smiting a Nubian Bodyguard.
2Mastaba Early Dynastic period 2,500 BC

Mastabas were the earlier form of pyramids. They were used to bury pharaohs.
Earliest mastabas were made of mud brick. There are two parts of a mastaba,
above ground, and below ground. There were usually a bunch of these around each
other. The area where these were found was called Necropolis (city of the dead).
Necropolis is found in the red land.

Old Kingdom
3 Stepped Pyramid- Djoser - Old Kingdom Period 2630-2611 BC (2,500 BC)

This is the first known pyramid. It was built by Imhotep for Djoser. Imhotep was
the first recorded architect and also the first recorded physician. Djoser was the
king at this time this pyramid is built on top of a huge underground funeral complex.
4 Great Pyramids of Gizeh - Old Kingdom Period 2551-2528 BC (2,500 BC)

Built for Khufu(father), Khafre(son), and Menkaure(grandson). Khufu is the one in

the background and also the biggest. Khafre is the one in the middle. Menkaure is
the closest one and the smallest.
5 Great Sphinx - Old Kingdom 2520- 2494 BC(2,500 BC)

The Sphinx is built and connected to Khafres pyramid. Some believe the face is
that of Khafre himself. There are chambers below the sphinx. The chambers are
part of a large funerary complex. Sphinx is built on the side of a large rock structure

6 Statue of Khafre - Old Kingdom 2520-2494 BC (2500 BC)

Built outside of the temple facing the kingdom. He is facing the kingdom because
he wants to make sure his people are still worshipping him. It is an example of
relief sculpture.
7 MenKaure and Wife - Old Kingdom Period 2490-2472 BC (2500 BC)

This is one of the rare cases where the pharaoh is shown with his wife. This is
usually not done. Wife is showing support by holding arm around Menkaure.
Menkaure is the dominant figure.. He is depicted in his youthful form. The wife is
most likely his sister as well. Royal families were very imbread.

New Kingdom 1550-1070 BC

8 Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut - New Kingdom period 1472-1458 BC ( 1500 BC)

This temple is an example of a rock cut tomb. Is thought to be built by Senmut

who is described as royal architect. He is thought to be hatshepsuts lover as well.
Senmut also has his own tomb. Hatshepsut was the daughter of a Pharaoh and
married to her brother. The pharaoh died and left his kingdom to his son who was
too young to rule the kingdom. Hatshepsut was left in charge until he became old
enough to rule. When that time came she did not give up her post. She ruled
instead. The son eventually became king when she died. He defaced statues that
she had constructed when he came to power.
9 Hatshepsut with offering jars - New Kingdom 1473-1458 BC (1500 BC)

Hatshepsut is shown here kneeling with offering jars.

Amarna Period (1353-1335 BC) This still the New Kingdom Period. But it is
important because it is the period in which Akhenaton was ruler from Tell el-Amarna.
He also changed religion to monotheism.
10 Akhenaton - New Kingdom 1353-1335 BC (1350 BC)

This is a statue of Akhenaton. He is an interesting ruler. He changes the official

religion of Egypt to monotheism. He is the first ruler to do this. He also moved the
capital to Tell el-Amarna. He also fired all the priests. They were really mad about
that. When he died he was labeled a heretic.
11 Nefertiti, Thutmose(sculptor) - New Kingdom 1353-1335 BC (1300 BC)

This is a sculpture of Nefertiti. She was wife of Akhenaton. This was sculpted by
Thutmose. She is one of the first examples of the wife having as much authority as
the pharaoh.

12 Akhenaton, Nefertiti, and three daughters from Tell el-Amarna - New Kingdom 13531335 BC (1300 BC)

The art in this is different from earlier Egyptian art. When he changed everything up
art was one of things that changed as well. They have long necks. He is also a
feminine figure. Some believe he is a hermaphrodite. This picture is of the king and
queen with three daughters worshipping their sun god. Some believe that the
daughters were not his children. As his rulership went on the people became very
unhappy. Nefertiti eventually convinced him to go back to the old capital and
reinstate the old views.
13 Death Mask of Tutankhamen, from the innermost coffin - New Kingdom 1323 BC (1300
BC)

This is a picture of the death mask of Tutankhamen. He is the son of Akhenaton and
Nefertiti that became ruler after his father. He brought back the old ways. Howard
Carter was the one that discovered his tomb. The tomb was the only tomb to be
found fully intact. All these treasures were found there. He was not a major king
and therefore wasnt one of the richest. He actually died early at about the age of
18. The death mask was placed over carcofigus. Conopic coffinettes were used to
hold his organs.