As I am very interested in architecture, I thought a post about the Egyptian pyramids would be relevant as an ancient aesthetic. There are actually eight pyramids that are known in Egypt but three of them are the famous ones: Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure. The reason why I chose this amazing architectural structures is because of how great yet still challenging task building them was. They were built as tombs for the Pharaohs and their queens during the old and middle kingdom periods, located in Giza, Cairo. The pyramid khufu is the largest one among the three and still considered as one of the seven wonders of the ancient world(1).
The following shows the map where each pyramid of the three is located:
The influence behind why the pyramids were built was because the Pharaohs wanted to have houses of eternity. For example: Khufu was named after pharoah Khufu. The following is a close up look to it.
The above picture is a snapshot from a youtube video(3)
The following shows the three pyramids next to each other(4).
Another amazing aspect that make these pyramids really aesthetic is that they have been built over 4500 years ago, using copper and copper alloys which is the only thing the slaves could have used then. Since they didnt have steel. Hence copper is actually a malleable metal.
If you were wondering whats inside these pyramids, its mostly statues and graves. since the pharoahs thought pyramids would be houses of eternity. The following are few pictures of some of the things inside.(5)
The stones used to build the inside are mostly lime stones. and granite for the outside.
The following shows the basic structure for the interior.(6)
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_pyramids
- http://www.ancientegypt.co.uk/pyramids/home.html
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lotbZQ55SgU
- http://wonderopolis.org/wonder/what-makes-a-pyramid
- http://famouswonders.com/great-pyramids-of-giza/
- http://www.sawyoo.com/post_inside-egyptian-pyramids_492152/
2 Comments. Leave new
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The Egyptian pyramids are incredible works of art. How they built such massive structures during that time period blows my mind. I never would have thought of them as an aesthetic, but after reading your post I am realizing how many other places this design aesthetic pops up. I am curious if the pyramids are the first instance of this aesthetic or if they just made it famous by making them on such a large scale. With their complicated tunneling inside, and their dwarfing appearance on the outside, the pyramids truly are works of art. Thank you for sharing!