JaVan DurhamHIS 121-1004-16-14Egyptian Art and ArchitectureEgypt has a rich history of art, music, food, tradition, and architecture. Since the beginning of Egyptian society, art and architecture have been an important aspect of their culture. One of the most recognizable wonders of Egyptian architecture are the pyramids that run along the Nile River. The Sphinx is also an architectural marvel. Even written language is a work of art. This written language is called hieroglyphics; uses images to communicate and express what they want other people to know. Throughout Egyptian history there were three main periods or reigns in which art changed and architecture became more sophisticated. The three different kingdoms are the old, middle and new kingdoms. The first kingdom is known as the Old Kingdom which lasted from 2650 to 2150 BC. Architecture in the old kingdom was mainly influenced by the king's prime minister, Imhotep. He was very good at his craft and was a skilled architect. The famous step pyramid of Saqqara is said to have been designed by Imhotep himself; one of King Zoser's prime ministers. The most famous pyramids of the ancient kingdom are the three great pyramids of Giza. These pyramids run along the western part of the Nile River. The Nile River was and still is a very important water source for the people living along its banks. The pyramids were built to bury dead pharaohs, along with their family, servants, pets, and their jewels. The pyramids also symbolize the omnipotence of each pharaoh. One of the most typical and ancient Egyptian royal sculptures is a statue of the great Zoser. “The life-size statue shows the pharaoh sitting staring straight ahead. For a long time, just this… medium of paper… these different kingdoms show how much Egyptian art evolved from the first Pharaonic dynasty to the last. All pharaohs had a common goal and a common vision: to build monuments to honor themselves or honor the gods. At first the pharaohs believed that the bigger the better, but the situation changed when they began to pay attention to the decoration of the interiors of the tombs and pyramids. They also later in the dynasty transitioned from two-dimensional arts to more realistic-looking art and painting of human beings. Egyptian art is unique and one of a kind. You will never see any style of art like Egyptian art anywhere in the world. “Egypt has the longest unified history of any Mediterranean group or civilization of that time period, extending with only a few interruptions from about 3000 BC until the 4th century AD (Ghaly).”