DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.67683#0044
EGYPTIAN PERIOD
2.0
because of its tremendous size and its engineering that the Pyra-
mid of Khufu is deservedly ranked as a great work of art, but
chiefly because of the marvelous accuracy of its workmanship
and because through its simple dignity and strength it performs
its function fittingly as a tomb and through its shape and pro-
portions is adapted to its physiographical environment.
On the east side of the great pyramid are three small pyramids
belonging to members of the royal family, while clustered about
are rows of mastabas of the great nobles who, having been
associated with the pharaoh in life, wished to continue in this
place of honor even in the tomb. The pyramid of the pharaoh,
however, is the dominating structure of the whole cemetery
(Pl. 3 a), just as he himself had been the dominating power of
Egyptian life.
The middle pyramid of the triple group at Gizeh, the Pyramid
of Khafre, is somewhat smaller than that of Khufu, indicating,
as we have said, the declining power of the pharaoh. It is very
important for our purpose, however, because from the remains
surrounding this pyramid we can study all the additional struc-
tures, which, together with the pyramid itself, comprise the
pyramid complex. To do this let us look first at the mastaba-
shaped structure in the right foreground of Pl. 3 a. Notice
that the building is in the valley, that the Sphinx is immediately
at the side, and that above on the plateau looms the pyramid itself.
What is the relation between the pyramid and this structure, so
long misunderstood and still frequently called the Temple of the
Sphinx? Notice once more how the pyramid stands up on the
plateau above the valley in which lay the town. In order to
provide for the spirit of the dead, offerings must be placed at the
tomb frequently. The hot climb up over the sandy hill led to the
erection of a covered causeway from the valley up to the little
chapel adjoining the eastern side of the pyramid. For, as the
spirit land lay in the west, the spirit must come toward the east
to receive the offerings. Hence tombs were built on the western
bank, and the chapel was on the eastern side of the pyramid. The
beginning of the causeway presupposed some kind of entrance or
vestibule. And that is the function which our so-called Temple
of the Sphinx performs.
Looking at the ground plan (Fig. 2.4), we see that a pyramid
complex consists of (a) the pyramid itself, within or below which
was the burial chamber; (b') the chapel adjoining the pyramid on
the eastern side, where the offerings were made and ceremonies
performed, and where the linen, grain, honey, oil, and other
2.0
because of its tremendous size and its engineering that the Pyra-
mid of Khufu is deservedly ranked as a great work of art, but
chiefly because of the marvelous accuracy of its workmanship
and because through its simple dignity and strength it performs
its function fittingly as a tomb and through its shape and pro-
portions is adapted to its physiographical environment.
On the east side of the great pyramid are three small pyramids
belonging to members of the royal family, while clustered about
are rows of mastabas of the great nobles who, having been
associated with the pharaoh in life, wished to continue in this
place of honor even in the tomb. The pyramid of the pharaoh,
however, is the dominating structure of the whole cemetery
(Pl. 3 a), just as he himself had been the dominating power of
Egyptian life.
The middle pyramid of the triple group at Gizeh, the Pyramid
of Khafre, is somewhat smaller than that of Khufu, indicating,
as we have said, the declining power of the pharaoh. It is very
important for our purpose, however, because from the remains
surrounding this pyramid we can study all the additional struc-
tures, which, together with the pyramid itself, comprise the
pyramid complex. To do this let us look first at the mastaba-
shaped structure in the right foreground of Pl. 3 a. Notice
that the building is in the valley, that the Sphinx is immediately
at the side, and that above on the plateau looms the pyramid itself.
What is the relation between the pyramid and this structure, so
long misunderstood and still frequently called the Temple of the
Sphinx? Notice once more how the pyramid stands up on the
plateau above the valley in which lay the town. In order to
provide for the spirit of the dead, offerings must be placed at the
tomb frequently. The hot climb up over the sandy hill led to the
erection of a covered causeway from the valley up to the little
chapel adjoining the eastern side of the pyramid. For, as the
spirit land lay in the west, the spirit must come toward the east
to receive the offerings. Hence tombs were built on the western
bank, and the chapel was on the eastern side of the pyramid. The
beginning of the causeway presupposed some kind of entrance or
vestibule. And that is the function which our so-called Temple
of the Sphinx performs.
Looking at the ground plan (Fig. 2.4), we see that a pyramid
complex consists of (a) the pyramid itself, within or below which
was the burial chamber; (b') the chapel adjoining the pyramid on
the eastern side, where the offerings were made and ceremonies
performed, and where the linen, grain, honey, oil, and other