The Great Pyramid of Giza - Essay Example

The Pyramid of Giza Architecture has been one of the influential factors that contributed to the recognition of certain Wonders of the World. In this paper, I shall focus on the technical aspect of the ancient wonder: the Great Pyramid of Giza. Regarding the technicalities, I shall look on the design, the form, the blueprint, the construction and the culture that surrounds it. At the same time, I shall provide a synthetic analysis of all the points raised to flesh out the intricacies of the said great wonder. The Great Pyramid of Giza has been erected by the Egyptians under the rule of the Pharaoh Khufu (Bleiberg 2). Khufu belongs to the Fourth dynasty rulers of Egypt (Bleiberg 2). Historically speaking, the pyramid is a building of great importance due to its being a successful innovation in the Ancient Egyptian architecture (Piazzi 34). In this case, the geometry, astronomy, technology, engineering and governance are also major factors that allowed the architecture to be erected and made in its huge size and complexity (Tompkins 15). How are these relevant and important in the discussion? These are the ones that can be considered products of intellectual creativity and has become pivotal for the completion and erection of the pyramid until where it stands up until now. In this part of the paper, I shall assess the design of the architecture. In this case, I shall investigate the role of geometry in terms of achieving the design accordingly and laid down properly for the process of construction. Triangular form of the building is a design formulated by Khufu to show a possible connection with the astrological practices of the people during that time (Romer 34). At the same time, the temple’s design is an assertion of the association made by Khufu during his rule with the Egyptian God Ra (Bleiberg 15). The ladder style of the pyramid is a connotation Khufu in identifying himself of equal status with Ra. The triangular shape shows superiority of a supreme divine entity. The same form extends to the pyramids of Khafre, the son of Khufu, and to Menkaure, the grandson of Khufu (Bleiberg 20). This is related to Khufu because of lineage of ruling and following the same convention of design and form. Analytically, the pyramids are not just aligned accordingly but these alignments possess certain functions that must be carefully assessed to accordingly to cultural developments and convention which I shall assess later on in this paper. The image on the left is a view of the Pyramids of Giza. Analytically, the innovation of Khufu is regarded to be real and true form of the pyramids in Egypt. Upon observation of the design, the pyramid can be considered to be a multiplicity of ladders meeting all together at the top. In geometry, the apex of the pyramid is formed as ascension continues. The pyramid, in terms of its design appeared to be in perfect form. In terms of form, one must understand and see carefully that the triangles that formed the pyramid are carefully patterned and aligned to ensure that there is proportion and alignment (Romer 37). This is relatively important because this is where the Egyptian geometry is at its best. At the same time, the calculations and executions about the form are carefully calculated and not just piled up just for the sake of making the edifice appear in the manner it should. The perfect form is guided by the principles of mathematics and not just purely artistic and aesthetic. Critically observing the form and design is a synthesis of arts and sciences to make the edifice adherent to the cultural conventions and interest of the pharaoh who stays and rules the kingdom in Egypt. In terms of form, there is also a pattern of triangulation within the Pyramid of Giza’s complex due to the alignments of the three pyramids of the succession of dynast kings (Romer 41). The image shows how the Great Pyramids of Giza have been aligned and connected all throughout. The pattern does not just establish the connections between Khufu and his successor but also evoking a complexity of Egyptian astrological practice. “Each of the pyramids is nearly perfectly oriented to the cardinal points—north, south, east, and west—of the compass. The southwest corners of all three pyramids align perfectly, forming a straight line that runs northwest to southeast. The alignment between the west face of Khufu’s pyramid and Khafre’s pyramid temple’s east façade is repeated with the west face of Khafre’s pyramid and the east façade of Menkaure’s pyramid temple” (Bleiberg 20 – 21). This is the concrete manifestation of the complex integration of mathematical conventions and principles in the construction of the architectural pyramids. Having this condition, this seems to be the plausible basis for the inclusion of the Great Pyramids of Giza in to the roster of the Ancient Wonders of the World. At the same time, the Great Pyramids triangulation can be considered to be a blueprint in the successive construction of the temples of Giza. In this blueprint, it is understandable and clearly manifested that the pyramids are not just erected for the sake of ensuring a tomb for the pharaoh who ruled. They have applied conventions of mathematics, which could possibly encompassed city planning due to careful integration done by the architects and engineers of the Fourth dynasty empires during that time. What seems to be more complex about this blueprint is the blueprint of the structure, especially in terms of constructing the chambers of the Pyramid to ensure the security and safety of the Pharaoh’s burial chamber (Tompkins 64). Together with the complexity of the structure, complex inscriptions are also involved, which signifies the aesthetic conventions of the Egyptians and a historical documentation of the lives of the pharaohs in the very places of their entombment. The image on the left shows the complex structure of the Pyramid of Giza. One thing that is noticeable is that the King and the Queen will have their own separate chambers. However, both of them are staying in the same place. At the same time, there is a complex trail way system which can be considered as a device to lure out the thieves out. Dead ends and passages are obviously long in terms of length given the huge and massive structure of the Pyramids. Thus, it is important to recognize the role of the construction process in arriving and making such complicated system evident and clear. This shall be the next part of discussion in this paper. The Pyramid of Khufu has been made out of several stones, amounting to almost 2.7 million cubic meters (Bleiberg 2). At the same time, the engineering technique used is the moving of weights from one place to another (Bleiberg 2). Heimiunu served as Khufu’s architect in the process of construction of the said architecture (Bleiberg 2). This is important because the construction of the huge structure, given the limited technology cannot be accomplished in a short span of time. Also, it is important to see that the architecture, despite of its grand status and condition is also a sign of oppression and torture for those who have been subjugated by the Egyptians during their rule. Despite of this problematic condition, one cannot overlook the fact that the building is also carefully calculated in relation to certain astrological calculations. This image shows that the solid line is the one followed by the succession pyramids that have been constructed by Khufu and his successors. In this case, it is evident that the mathematical calculations in astrology are also crucial because of the associations made by the Egyptians. This incursion of astrology is important. Analytically, how did the Egyptians carefully measured location of the stars and erected the edifice in the possibly exact location where it can be placed? This is indeed mysterious and remarkable at the same time. Thus, art and architecture are not just the ones who clearly demarcate the greatness of the Egyptian temple but also the inclusion of a relatively complex mathematical conditioning and astrological predictions. The two can be considered opposite disciplines due to the objectivity and subjectivity respectively. Nevertheless, the architecture has been successful in terms of connecting all disciplines in a manner that can be considered unknown for the people nowadays. Conclusively, this is a mysterious spectacle. As a response to this issue, there have been contentions with the manner of construction due to social constraints in technology. The building might not have been able to accommodate the primitive technology in a wider sense (Bleiberg 6). In terms of culture, what seems to be important about these Pyramids aside from being a wonder of World? One must understand that the building is not constructed by the Egyptians alone. Slaves are relatively involved in the process due to the huge manpower needed to construct the edifice alone (Bleiberg 169). The image on the left provides a majestic overview of the huge pyramid of Khufu as the first instalment of the Great Pyramids of Giza. The huge condition of it already signifies the complex building process that the workers of the must endure. In the same manner, building also denotes the virtuosity of the Egyptians to show the magnificence of their culture by showing such great skills in rendering things appropriate for their culture. The Architecture of the Pyramid of Giza is also a manifestation of power in a general sense due to the upward conventions. This could possibly mean that the Egyptians also regard themselves to be one of the supreme people and cultures in the realm of the Ancient world even if that would cost the oppression of other groups of people and slaves just to exalt themselves in a manner uncontested by those who do not know any better. This is something that must be carefully scrutinized and observed. The Pyramid maybe majestic, yes, however, blood has been shed to ensure that it will be implanted on the desert grounds. People nowadays have a tendency to overlook such phenomenon. In totality, the form, design, blueprint, construction and culture are all interrelated in the very making process of the pyramid. The Egyptian culture, being highly advanced, allowed the showcasing of such majestic and sky – rocketing pyramids to exemplify the greatness of their divine entity and the pharaoh. The form and design followed suit with culture. The developments in the field of mathematics, engineering, technology, astrology and others have been crucial to allow the flourishing and success of the form rendered from the application of it. At the same time, the blueprint have included the stars and established connection with the other temples to provide a relatively complex aesthetic and architectural complex that pleases the conventions of the powerful people in Egypt back then. In terms of construction, technology might be relatively advanced since it has enabled to process of construction despite of it taking several years to process the whole structure. Nevertheless, the architecture is something that cannot be disregarded as a trash because the astrology’s influence in rendering the land structure. The advanced knowledge of Egyptians is the ones that have shouldered that process of making to take place and come forth. At the same time, the building’s construction would not have been possible if there is no manpower that allows the process to go on and proceed. This has been the oppressive side of the process of construction for the Pyramids of Giza. Nevertheless, the Pyramid’s majestic form, complex design, structure are all products of the creative minds of Egyptians who have just mastered the conventions of Mathematics and Astrology and applied to the process of advancing one’s culture and identity. In the same respect, architecture and arts, together with the sciences have been productive and vibrant to show the sophistication. This allowed the legacy of the structure to continue and flourish: standing the tests of time and incursions. This is where the Egyptian culture can be considered at its best. The Pyramids of Giza, in totality, is undeniably a Wonder of the World: something that should be respected and preserved as times progress without leaving much imprint about the lessons of the past. The pyramid’s existence is just a reminder of what the foundations of the great things that our society knows and has nowadays. WORKS CITED Smyth, C.Piazzi. the great Pyramid:its secrets and mysteries revealed. New York: Bell Pub. Co., 1978. Tompkins, Peter. Secrets of The Pyramid. New York, Harper & Row [1971] Romer, John. The Great Pyramid: ancient Egypt revisited. Cambridge; New York: Cambridge University Press, 2007. Bleiberg, Edward. Arts and Humanities Through the Eras Vol. 1 Ancient Egypt. Thomson Gale, 2005. National Geographic. National Geographic. Accessed April 17 2012. Pyramid of Khufu. Trip-advisor.us. 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