fashion inn 4us: A BRIEF HISTORY OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN TOMBS.

The history of Pharonic Egypt spans nearly 3 millennia, starting around 3100 BC. Major accomplishments were achieved during 3 periods: the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms which lasted roughly 500 years (2700-2200 BC), 200 years (2000-1800 BC), and 500 years (1600-1100 BC). These periods were interrupted by intermediate periods where loss of central authority or foreign invasion led to decline.

The ancient Egyptian civilization changed dramatically over these 1600 years, and many of these changes are reflected in how the tombs of the Kings and Queens, Nobleman, and Workers were built and decorated.

The Royal Tombs

The mastaba was the earliest and simplest tomb structure. It consisted of a single elevated platform and was built of mud-brick. These structures were not particularly elaborate and were not decorated.

In the 3rd dynasty (Old Kingdom) Imhotep built the step pyramid (Fig. 1) for Zoser. This structure was the first all stone monument and was, of course, the inspiration for the true pyramids that followed, culminating into the pyramids of Giza, and in particular the great pyramid of Khufu.

The pyramids were the major achievements of the 4th dynasty - approximately 2500 BC (Old Kingdom) - and were built for Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure (Fig. 2). These structures are truly awesome. The pyramid of Khufu, for example:

-contains over 2,300,000 stones
-the base is 13 square acres, 568,500 sq. ft, or 7 city blocks
-the side of each base is 754 feet, or more than 2 football fields
-the pyramid weights 6.5 million tons
-each stone weighs approximately 2.5 tons
-and is 481 feet tall

Because the king was revered as God, his tomb (the pyramid) was constructed to last forever, thus ensuring the continuing prosperity of the king in his afterlife. Like the early mastabas, the 4th dynasty pyramids had no decorations.

The 5th dynasty (Old Kingdom) which saw the construction of more modest pyramids contained the first decorations. These decorations (Fig. 3 and 4) took the form of hieroglyphic writings - known as the Pyramid Texts - which provide guidelines and instructions on how to ensure safe voyage through the nether world and the eternal life thereafter.

The construction of the pyramids disappeared during the first intermediate period and attempts for revival during the Middle Kingdom were far from successful.

A very different approach was taken in the New Kingdom. Very elaborate, deep underground tombs were the norm. Interestingly these were constructed in an area dominated by a huge natural pyramid-shaped formation. Part of the reason for this change was to conceal the tombs from robbers. The New Kingdom saw perhaps the most glorious tombs. These tombs were decorated with scenes of the journey that the king (or queen) would take as they moved from this life to the afterlife and showing the King in the presence of major deities and making offerings to them. The scenes were highly colored and drawn from vignettes from the book of the dead and related subjects (Fig. 5).

Each tomb, however, could look dramatically different as experimentation with different styles were undertaken. Shown in Fig. 5 are samples from the tombs of Tutmosis III, Horemhab, and Queen Nefertari.

Shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9 are more photographs from the tomb of Tutmosis III. Shown in Figs. 10, 11, 12, and13 are more photographs from Horemhab's tomb. And shown in Figs. 14 and 15 are more photographs from Nefertari's tomb.

The Tombs of the Noblemen

The noblemen (the ranking government officials) and high priests had decidedly more modest tombs. In the Old Kingdom, while pyramids were being built for kings, the noblemen were buried in mastabas. These mastabas were decorated with non-religious scenes depicting the daily life and official duties of the nobleman (Shown in Fig. 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 are scenes from tombs of Noblemen). Association of afterlife in the company of Gods was reserved for the kings. The noblemen's tombs served more as a place where offering for the deceased can be made.

Starting with the Middle Kingdom and progressively through the New Kingdom democratization of religion began to be the norm. Tombs of the noblemen continued to depict their daily activities as well as scenes with strong religious overtones. Common people were expected to be in the company of Gods, who will see to it that they will be favorably judged and will make it safely through the arduous voyage in the nether word to emerge in paradise, where they will enjoy eternal life.

The tombs of the New Kingdom's noblemen are beautifully decorated with such scenes. Unlike the royal tombs, which are confined to specific norms, the private tombs' decorations often break with these norms and are therefore artistically more pleasing. For example, shown in Fig. 24, 25, and 26 are scenes from Sennefer's tomb.

The Tombs of the Workers

A special type of tombs known from the New Kingdom are those of the workers who built the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Although these were people of limited resources, they were well-equipped and skilled in tomb building. Because of their valued contribution to the royal families and noble elite to tomb construction, they were permitted to build their own "house of eternity". The tombs of the workers (in theDeir el-Medina) were notably more modest than those of the kings or noblemen - typically 1/5 the size of the noblemen's tombs which themselves were 1/5 the size of the kings.

These tombs, not constrained by long traditions, tend to be much more charming, and show an incredible diversity in their decorations. The tombs of Pashedu, Anher-Khau, and Sennedjem, all dating to the 19th Dynasty can be seen to be dramatically different (Fig. 27). Note also how the democratization of religion made its way down to the workers.

Take a 3-D virtual tour through Sennedjem's

andInherkhau’s burial chambers.

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	THUTMOSIS IV, KV43 This Pharaoh's vast tomb remained only sparsely decorated but it introduced a new style into the decoration of royal tombs. A magnificent sarcophagus constitutes the central point.		AMENHOTEP III, KV22 This tomb, located in the Western Valley of the Kings, is for the first time published in full colour. A large tomb similar to that of his father, Thutmosis IV, KV43. It has been undergoing restoration since 1989.
	AMENHOTEP IV - AKHENATON Here is a tour in 36 photos of the tomb of the famous Pharaoh called "the Heretic". The tomb is very damaged but its historic importance is considerable.		TUTANKHAMUN, KV62 The tomb of the most famous of the Pharaohs is of very small size, and decorated only in the sarcophagus chamber, but with historically important scenes.
	AY, KV23 The small tomb of Ay includes a reduced iconography, but with unique scenes such as those in the marshes, which are normally only found in tombs of private individuals.		HOREMHEB, KV57 The tomb of this pharaoh is covered in great detail, with many 3D reconstructions. Its exquisite raised relief has kept all its freshness. The Book of Gates is detailed here.
	SETY I, KV17 The pages of this tomb (KV17) are currently under reconstruction. The underground chambers of Sety I marks a watershed in the evolution of the royal tombs. It not only introduced new rooms, but was also decorated throughout in carved raised relief of outstanding quality.		RAMESSES I, KV16 The tomb of the first of the Ramessides is very small but almost intact. Here is the most complete publication ever on that monument, enhanced by outstanding 3D reconstitutions.
	RAMESSES III, KV11 The pages of this tomb (KV11) are currently under reconstruction. It is the characteristic of the tomb of Ramesses III that it contains, along with a catalogue of well known motifs, completely unique representations equival to the iconography of the "House of Millions of Years" of Ramesses III at Medinet Habu.		RAMSES VI, KV9 The pages of this tomb (KV9) are currently under reconstruction, but you can view a slideshow of 70 photos.
	NEFERTARI, QV66 The tomb of Queen Nefertari, Great Royal Wife of Ramesses II is without doubt one of the most beautiful in the whole of Egypt. A pictorial masterpiece, it is equally a theological great and to discover it corresponds to a truely first class journey.		MONTUHERKHEPERSHEF - KV19 Tomb KV19, of the Valley of the Kings, dates from the end of Dynasty XX. This belongs to one of the sons of Ramesses IX, prince Montuherkhepeshef ("Montu is above his powerful arm"), the prince and heir who died before he could reach the throne.