Through the Eras

Architecture and Design2008–1938 Nebhepetre Mentuhotep builds a tomband temple at Deir el Bahri based on Thebantemple types.Egyptian workers at Nebhepetre Mentuhotep’stemple at Deir el Bahri usebenchmarks (permanent markers for thestarting point) while surveying.The Egyptians first use sandstone in construction.1957 The vizier (prime minister) Amenemhet,serving King Mentuhotep III, leads oneof the earliest quarrying expeditions intothe eastern desert.1938–1759 Twelfth-dynasty kings build pyramidcomplexes based on earlier traditions ofthe Fifth and Sixth Dynasties, but laterbuild complexes based on the Thirddynastytradition of Djoser.Pictorial evidence from the time shows theEgyptians hauling heavy loads on sledges,which are sled-like devices used on sand.1938–1909 King Amenemhet I builds a pyramid complexat Lisht based on earlier traditions ofthe Fourth through Sixth Dynasties.1919–1875 King Senwosret I builds a pyramid complexat Lisht with an internal stone skeleton,like a scaffold meant to support thestructure, an innovation that failed.The workmen of King Senwosret I routinelyhaul blocks twice as big as theblocks at the Great Pyramid.1836–1818 King Senwosret III builds a pyramid complexat Dahshur based on Djoser’s Thirddynastycomplex at Saqqara.King Senwosret III builds an additionaltemple at Abydos where he is actuallyburied, reviving an early tradition fromthe First Dynasty in which the tomb isplaced in Abydos in central Egypt ratherthan the area near Memphis.1818–1772 King Amenemhet III builds a traditionalpyramid complex at Dahshur and theLabyrinth at Hawara which follows the styleof Djoser’s pyramid complex at Saqqara.1539–1292 Egyptian builders transport sandstonefrom Upper Egyptian quarries for use inLower Egypt at Memphis.The obelisk in the granite quarries ofAswan is begun and later abandoned becauseit cracked during the attempt to cutit from the bedrock.1479–1425 Paintings from the tomb of the high officialRekhmire depict construction workers,including masons and brick makers.1426–1400 King Amenhotep II restores the temple atGiza for the first time in the New Kingdom.1400–1390 King Thutmose IV restores the temple atthe Great Sphinx for the second time intwo generations.1390–1352 King Amenhotep III begins work on theLuxor Temple dedicated to the godAmun and the royal ka (soul).1292–1190 The first documented use of the shaduf—a pole with a basket at one end and aweight that makes it easy to raise the basketat the other end—is shown in a tombpainting. A shaduf could have been usedto lift construction loads as well as water.1290–1279 King Sety I commissions a votive modelof the temple he will build at Heliopolis,as a gift for the god.Egyptians routinely move stone blocksweighing up to 1,000 tons, more than tentimes as heavy as the blocks moved duringthe Old Kingdom.1156–1150 King Ramesses IV commissions a presentationplan of his tomb in the Valley ofthe Kings. The plan is now found in theTurin Museum where it is known as PapyrusTurin 1885.The Abbott Papyrus, now stored in theBritish Museum, describes tomb robberiesand demonstrates that the Egyptian wordmer (“pyramid”) means any kind of tomb.Arts and Humanities Through the Eras: Ancient Egypt (2675 B.C.E.–332 B.C.E.) 3