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Giza pyramid complex
The Giza pyramid complex, also called the Giza necropolis, is one of the most
famous legacies of ancient Egyptian architecture. It is located in Cairo, Egypt,
and includes the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Pyramid of Khafre, and the Pyramid
of Menkaure. The complex also has several other smaller pyramids and tombs.
It is perhaps the most notable example of the architectural style’s heavy use
of granite and limestone. Because wood is rare in the region, the most commonly
used materials for construction in ancient Egypt were sun-baked mud brick and
stone.
Temple of Karnak
The Temple of Karnak is located in Luxor, Egypt. It is one of the biggest
temple complexes ever built. It was constructed over a period of more than two
thousand years. The temple complex contains many different temples, including
the Great Temple of Amun, the Temple of Khonsu, and the Temple of Ptah. It also
has a number of other features, such as an avenue of sphinxes and the famous
Hypostyle Hall.
Joe Cianciotto explains that the 100-hectare complex is particularly notable
for its use of columns made of sandstone and brick. The complex has 139 columns
in the Hypostyle Hall alone, which is the largest number of columns found in
any ancient Egyptian building.
Abu Simbel Temples
The Abu Simbel temples are located in Nubia, Egypt. Pharaoh Ramses II built them in the 13th century BCE. The complex is made up of the Temple of Ramses II and the smaller Temple of Hathor.
The temples are most famous for their massive statues of Ramses II. These statues are over twenty meters tall and depict the Pharaoh seated, wearing a double crown to symbolize Upper and Lower Egypt.
This ancient monument has become a model for modern engineering, notes Joe Cianciotto. Aside from its magnificent exterior, the Abu Simbel temples have several colossal statues lined up inside.
