Funerary customs
Pyramids
Ancient Egyptians believed in the next world, so they built different kinds of funerary buildings. They built mastabas, pyramids and hypogeums made of stone.
These kinds of buildings were needed to bury Pharaohs. First, they were buried
in mastabas, a kind of tomb similar to a house, with a flat roof. Each mastaba had a subterranean burial chamber. Later the Pharaohs were buried in the pyramids. There are two kinds of pyramids, the step and the true pyramid. The pyramids are enormous. The ones at Giza, from 2575 BC, were one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The pyramids were linked to a funerary complex, including a temple.
The River Nile was important for burial and for funeral ceremonies. Egyptians believed in reincarnation. They thought the dead came back to life. Cemeteries were often on the opposite bank of the River Nile to where people lived. They had to go to the cemeteries by boat to bury or to visit their lost relatives.
Ancient Egyptians believed in the next world, so they built different kinds of funerary buildings. They built mastabas, pyramids and hypogeums made of stone.
These kinds of buildings were needed to bury Pharaohs. First, they were buried
in mastabas, a kind of tomb similar to a house, with a flat roof. Each mastaba had a subterranean burial chamber. Later the Pharaohs were buried in the pyramids. There are two kinds of pyramids, the step and the true pyramid. The pyramids are enormous. The ones at Giza, from 2575 BC, were one of the Seven Wonders of the World. The pyramids were linked to a funerary complex, including a temple.
The River Nile was important for burial and for funeral ceremonies. Egyptians believed in reincarnation. They thought the dead came back to life. Cemeteries were often on the opposite bank of the River Nile to where people lived. They had to go to the cemeteries by boat to bury or to visit their lost relatives.
Temples
In ancient Egypt there were a lot of buildings: mainly temples for the gods and palaces for the Pharaohs. Pharaohs were considered living gods on the Earth. Apart from the Pharaohs, Egyptians also believed in lots of gods and goddesses. Like other ancient civilizations, they were polytheists. They built temples, enormous buildings to honour the gods, cared for priests. Palaces were constructed for Pharaohs. The main material used to build temples and palaces was stone. Ordinary people had mud houses.
The most important gods were Amun and Ra, and they had colossal temples in Luxor (in early times Thebes) and Karnack. Amun was represented wearing two plumes on his head and a sceptre in his hand. He was associated in a triad with Mut and Khonsu. Ra was portrayed with a falcon’s head and the solar disc. He was associated with the Pharaoh.
There were also sacred animals such as rams, and they were also mummified.
In ancient Egypt there were a lot of buildings: mainly temples for the gods and palaces for the Pharaohs. Pharaohs were considered living gods on the Earth. Apart from the Pharaohs, Egyptians also believed in lots of gods and goddesses. Like other ancient civilizations, they were polytheists. They built temples, enormous buildings to honour the gods, cared for priests. Palaces were constructed for Pharaohs. The main material used to build temples and palaces was stone. Ordinary people had mud houses.
The most important gods were Amun and Ra, and they had colossal temples in Luxor (in early times Thebes) and Karnack. Amun was represented wearing two plumes on his head and a sceptre in his hand. He was associated in a triad with Mut and Khonsu. Ra was portrayed with a falcon’s head and the solar disc. He was associated with the Pharaoh.
There were also sacred animals such as rams, and they were also mummified.
Burial Goods
Although the types of burial goods changed throughout ancient Egyptian history, their purpose to protect the deceased and provide sustenance the afterlife remained.
From the earliest periods of Egyptian history, all Egyptians were buried with at least some goods that they thought were necessary after death. At a minimum, these consisted of everyday objects such as bowls, combs, and other trinkets, along with food. Wealthier Egyptians could afford to be buried with jewelry, furniture, and other valuables, which made them targets of tomb robbers. In the early Dynastic Period, tombs were filled with daily life objects, such as furniture, jewelry and other valuables. They also contained many pottery and stone vessels.
Although the types of burial goods changed throughout ancient Egyptian history, their purpose to protect the deceased and provide sustenance the afterlife remained.
From the earliest periods of Egyptian history, all Egyptians were buried with at least some goods that they thought were necessary after death. At a minimum, these consisted of everyday objects such as bowls, combs, and other trinkets, along with food. Wealthier Egyptians could afford to be buried with jewelry, furniture, and other valuables, which made them targets of tomb robbers. In the early Dynastic Period, tombs were filled with daily life objects, such as furniture, jewelry and other valuables. They also contained many pottery and stone vessels.
Extension task for students who finish early
Questions to consider:
- What Egyptian terms are used?
- What is the name of the Egyptian writing seen throughout?
- What is the name of the jar that Tut's stomach is in?
- What other organs would be in these jars?
- What Egyptian images can you see?
- What is the name of the god shown?
- Where is he located?
- What is he the god of?
- What Egyptian terms are used?
- What is the name of the Egyptian writing seen throughout?
- What is the name of the jar that Tut's stomach is in?
- What other organs would be in these jars?
- What Egyptian images can you see?
- What is the name of the god shown?
- Where is he located?
- What is he the god of?
Reference List
Anderson, M., Keese, I. & Low, A. (2009) Retroactive: World History Volume 1 (3rd ed.). Australia: John Wiley and Sons Australia.
Clyne, J., Ford, R. et. Al. (2012) History 7: The Ancient World. Victoria: Macmillan Education.
Eaton-Krauss, M. (2003) Egyptology at the Dawn of the Twenty-First Century (vol. 2). Egypt: The American University in Cairo Press.
Fletcher, J. (2003) The Egyptian Book of Living and Dying. London: Duncan Baird Publishing.
Schulz, R. & Seidel, M. (2007) Egypt: The World of the Pharaohs. Germany: h.f.ullmann.
Anderson, M., Keese, I. & Low, A. (2009) Retroactive: World History Volume 1 (3rd ed.). Australia: John Wiley and Sons Australia.
Clyne, J., Ford, R. et. Al. (2012) History 7: The Ancient World. Victoria: Macmillan Education.
Eaton-Krauss, M. (2003) Egyptology at the Dawn of the Twenty-First Century (vol. 2). Egypt: The American University in Cairo Press.
Fletcher, J. (2003) The Egyptian Book of Living and Dying. London: Duncan Baird Publishing.
Schulz, R. & Seidel, M. (2007) Egypt: The World of the Pharaohs. Germany: h.f.ullmann.