The Transformation of Ritual SpaceThe Pyramid Complexes of Saqqara and Giza

By Carissa Racca

Topographic Information

Heb-Sed Area

Chronological Information

3rd Dynasty 2649-2575 4th Dynasty 2575-2465Nebka 2649-2630 Sneferu 2575-2551

Djoser 2630-2611 Khufu 2551-2528

Sekhemkhet 2611-2603 Djedfre 2528-2520

Khaba 2603-2599 Khafre 2520-2494

Huni 2599-2575 Menkaure 2490-2472

Shepseskaf 2472-2467

The Ritualistic CenterDjoser Step Pyramid

Function and Meaning

• The Djoser Step Pyramid the funerary complex provided a spatial framework for the procession of the rites.

• The space itself was symbolic it was the area in which the king transformed into a divine being.

• The Sed festival, was believed to have granted the king the renewal and regeneration of his divine powers at the presence of the gods and priests of unified Egypt.

• The Pyramids were constructed around this “pharaonic image.”

The Sed festival ceremony was carried out in buildings that included: a palace for the king to be used during the festival, small wooden pavilion shrines for the gods of Egypt.

Pyramids at Giza• The pyramids of Giza were built over

the span of three generations-by Khufu, his son, Khafre, and Menkaure.

• Only surviving monument of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The list was compiled by Herodotus and Callimachus.

• The Great Pyramid contains about

2,300,000 blocks of stone, often said to weigh on average 2.5 tons.

• This space was used for funeral processions, however, there is little information that tells us about the role of Sed festival at this complex.

Commercialization of the Pharaonic Past“preservation of ancient monuments has taken precedence over the needs of

the living”

• The World Bank and Egyptian government undertook a joint project to develop a US $300 million fund to preserve the environment in the face of tourist development.

• Periods later than the Pharaonic are underappreciated and understudied.

• Preserving this “pharaonic image.”

• Impact of Islam, Egyptian people have no special relationship with antiquity.

• 1997 Massacre

• Residents feel that archaeology and tourism has displaced villagers from homes and temples.

• The Egyptian government has tried to move families away from Pyramid Complexes, to adopt this “new vision of modernity.”

• The population boom and inflated cost of living is forcing native Egyptians to live in areas like:

• City of the Dead

• Garbage City

The City of the Dead

Garbage City