The ancient Egyptian Monuments consisted of temples, tombs, and the world famous pyramids. The predynastic period, which is 400 BC saw a huge development in architecture and its styles in Egypt. As it was with literature and art, architecture also focused mainly on death and the afterlife.

In fact, it was such a huge deal, that temples and pyramid that would be a tomb commenced being built as soon as a new Pharaoh was chosen. The building started at that time and went on till he passed away.Stone was used for these massive buildings and tombs so that they remain stable. Thus, the sculptures and etchings were also colossal, inert and quiet. The mainstay of architecture in Ancient Egypt was the massive temples and tombs that housed equally huge statues of gods and kings and sarcophaguses.

Since vertical walls, especially ones made of stone were highly unsound; they were constructed in a sloping manner and made very thick, to maintain balance. Columns of stone were given placed close and so were the stone lintels, even though their size was immense.

An architectural style that eluded Ancient Egypt was the dome and vault; all buildings had absolutely flat roofing. Due to the monstrous size of the structures themselves, small doors and windows were inserted; this was additionally beneficial in keeping things private and exclusive.

Most monuments had etchings in hieroglyphic done on obelisks or walls and contained records of events. Decorations comprised of symbols, usually pertaining to religion, scarab beetles, solar disks, and such. All monuments were only single storied.

The material used in the building was stone. Wood was not used due to its scarcity. Brick was used mainly for residential buildings, naturally, very few specimens lasted.

The ancient Egyptians’ love of geometry reflected in architecture. The mortar was not used in buildings, hence, all stones had to be cut exactly so as to fit with the others. Even the slightest irregularity would put the building in jeopardy.

Some Examples of Ancient Egyptian Monuments:

The very first pyramid was designed by Imhotep, where he placed mastabas, each smaller than the one below.

The first smooth pyramid was constructed during Senfru’s rule.

The pyramid of Giza is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and was built by Cheops.

Two more pyramids were built there for his son and grandson, Chepren and Mycerinus, respectively.

The Great Sphinx, supposed to be guarding the tombs is also in Giza. A sphinx is a mythical creature with the head of a woman and the body of a lion.

The Temple of Ramses II is another excellent monument erected during the Ancient Egyptian era.