Through the Eras

ever constructed. King Khufu’s buildersmove 2,700,000 cubic meters (95,350,000cubic feet) of stone, as engineering techniquesallow for the routine moving ofstone blocks up to sixty tons in weight.Mastaba tombs are made of stone ratherthan the mud brick of earlier dynasties.IMPORTANT EVENTSin Architecture and DesignAll dates in this chronology are approximations (c.) andoccur before the common era (B.C.E.).3800–2298 The earliest Egyptians bury their dead inoval pits in the desert and include pots,tools, and weapons.3100–2800 The artists of the First Dynasty demonstratea knowledge of uniform measurementscalled the cubit, palm, and finger.Kings build seven mud brick enclosuresat Abydos that are the first combinationtombs and temples.Egyptians add superstructures to pit tombscreating the first mastabas, tombs that resemblea large mud brick bench.Architects use granite in door jambs forthe first time.2675–2625 The first preserved stone architecturebuilt by King Djoser under Imhotep’s supervisionis constructed at Saqqara.The first known architectural use of drillsis in evidence at Djoser’s construction atSaqqara.2625–2585 King Sneferu’s architects are unsuccessfulin their attempts to build the first truepyramids, including structures at Meidumand Dahshur.Architects building Mastaba 17 at Meidum,an early example of a noble’s tomb,construct battered (inclined) walls.2585–2560 King Khufu’s architect Hemiunu builds theGreat Pyramid at Giza, the largest pyramid2585–2510 King Khafre builds his pyramid complex,including the Great Sphinx, thesecond pyramid complex at Giza. Thevalley temples from this complex are thebest-preserved temples from the FourthDynasty.2560–2555 King Djedefre (a.k.a. Redjedef) begins hispyramid complex at Abu Roash. It willremain unfinished, probably due to hisearly death.2532–2510 King Menkaure builds his smaller pyramidcomplex, the third and final complexat Giza.2508–2500 King Shepseskaf abandons Giza as the traditionalresting place of kings to build hisMastabat el Fara’un in Abu Sir, returningto Djoser’s earliest tomb type.Tool marks at the Mastabat el Fara’undemonstrate that builders used saws totrim joins in masonry.2500–2485 King Userkaf returns to Saqqara andbuilds a pyramid complex aligned withDjoser’s complex.King Userkaf builds the first sun templededicated to Re in Abu Sir.Architects begin to construct mastabatombs with increasingly complicated interiorchapels.2485–2472 King Sahure builds the first of the standardFifth- and Sixth-dynasty pyramidcomplexes at Abu Sir.2371–2350 King Unas includes the first known PyramidTexts (spells recited during the royalfuneral) carved inside his pyramid atSaqqara.Skilled craftsmen working for King Unaswork on statues in the quarry.2 Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Egypt (2675 B.C.E.–332 B.C.E.)