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An introduction to
Ancient Egypt
This section provides short,
introductory items about several
aspects of ancient
Egyptian history and culture.
An outline of the chronology of pharaonic Egypt
An introduction to the timeframe and (sub)divisions of three
millenia of history.
An outline of Egypt's early
history: from Early Dynastic till First Intermediate Period
A look into the first eight centuries of ancient
Egyptian history, with an emphasis on the mechanisms of power, politics
and administration.
An outline of ancient Egyptian religion
An introduction to the nature of
ancient Egyptian religion. About gods and ethics, rituals and myth,
kingship and state religion, folk religion and personal piety.
A visit to the Amun Temple of Karnak
The intricate details of highly refined reliefs, combined with the
romance of palm trees under a blue sky, make a visit to this temple
un
unforgettable experience - even
for those who lack any knowledge of the history of ancient Egypt.
Although the text of this work is basically of an introductory nature, it does give
interesting details on every page, bringing
the subject to life. The translation of several of the texts on the
ancient walls provides touching details.
But the 90 high-quality pictures are the main dish
(In PDF format, 53 pages).
Columns and
Pillars: the Visual Story
Columns and pillars determine to a large extent the
flavor of ancient Egyptian architecture. Sometimes slender and
elegant, sometimes massive and imposing, they immediately attract our
attention. But what exactly is the difference between a column and a
pillar? How does one recognize which ones represent lotuses, and which
ones papyrus? And what is the significance of these forms?...
(In the section of
Temples, Tombs, and Building
Techniques, there is also an article in PDF-format about the same subject.
The PDF-article explores the matter more in-depth.)
Bark stations:
the
Visual Story
Bark stations are
relatively small, chapel-like buildings.
They are a regular feature of many Egyptian
temples. Because of their size, and their often outstanding degree of
preservation, they provide us with excellent material for the study,
both of Egyptian architecture, and Egyptian religion.
Bark stations were a specialized element of procession ways. The other
elements of the procession way will be discussed, too. And we will take
a closer look at the phenomenon that prompted the building of bark
stations in the first place: the religious procession.
(In the section of
Temples, Tombs, and Building
Techniques, there is also an article in PDF-format about the same subject.
The PDF-article explores the matter more in-depth.)
The mortuary temple of Mentuhotep II, at Deir el
Bahri
This magnificent
building
once inspired Queen Hatshepsut in constructing her
own glorious mortuary monument, now right next to it. Includes a
detailed comparison of "model" (Mentuhotep II) and "copy"
(Hatshepsut), and a walk-around (and above) of 19
pictures.
Lotus, papyrus,
and the heraldic plants of ancient Egypt
Updated and extended, December
2008
A Visual Story that deals with the various uses of lotus and papyrus in
the script, the arts and architecture, and as symbols for Upper and
Lower Egypt. It also digs into the significance of the Two Lands that
together made up ancient Egypt, and it shows what other symbols were
used for these entities. Includes fine photographs of the white, blue
and pink lotus, papyrus, and several types of sedges. With numerous
citations in hieroglyphs, with full translation. (A
PDF-version is in preparation).
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