Egyptians started the move away from pyramids to tombs carved out of the rock face, a trend started by Amenhotep I in around 1500 BC. Other pharaohs followed suit, building their tombs in what became known as the Valley of the Kings.
The tombs were decorated with beautiful paintings or carved reliefs of religious texts, helping the dead navigate their way to the afterlife successfully. Other tombs contained idealized images of everyday life that represented a person's hopes for paradise in the afterlife.
The ancient Egyptians had no word for art and no concept of art. For them, the images had a more meaningful purpose, representing the life of the tomb's occupant and forming the basis of their life after death.
Temples were one of the main architectural innovations of the New Kingdom of Egypt. They were the most critical buildings in ancient Egypt - cities like Amarna were built around a central temple, with roads radiating outwards.
Much of Egypt’s money was used by the pharaohs to give thanks to the gods who had helped them in their success. Building magnificent statues, obelisks and temples gave pharaohs the opportunity to show off their wealth and generosity to their people.
The pharaohs also would control the news through carvings on the temple walls. This was an early form of propaganda.
Temples were one of the main architectural innovations of the New Kingdom of Egypt. They were the most critical buildings in ancient Egypt - cities like Amarna were built around a central temple, with roads radiating outwards.
The tombs were decorated with beautiful paintings or carved reliefs of religious texts, helping the dead navigate their way to the afterlife successfully. Other tombs contained idealized images of everyday life that represented a person's hopes for paradise in the afterlife.
The ancient Egyptians had no word for art and no concept of art. For them, the images had a more meaningful purpose, representing the life of the tomb's occupant and forming the basis of their life after death.
Temples were one of the main architectural innovations of the New Kingdom of Egypt. They were the most critical buildings in ancient Egypt - cities like Amarna were built around a central temple, with roads radiating outwards.
Much of Egypt’s money was used by the pharaohs to give thanks to the gods who had helped them in their success. Building magnificent statues, obelisks and temples gave pharaohs the opportunity to show off their wealth and generosity to their people.
The pharaohs also would control the news through carvings on the temple walls. This was an early form of propaganda.
Temples were one of the main architectural innovations of the New Kingdom of Egypt. They were the most critical buildings in ancient Egypt - cities like Amarna were built around a central temple, with roads radiating outwards.