I will now discuss why I believe that it is possible to begin a dialogue on a Kemetic architectural language. A design methodology that may have developed over a number of years but did not necessarily change. Kostof states:
"Through all these changing regimes, public architecture changed little. The New Kingdom temple type continued to be produced, with no significant modification, under the benevolent approval of alien rulers anxious to gain the support of the conservative Amon priesthood."
This statement indicates some type of architectural continuum, even under foreign rulership during the New Kingdom. Assuming this to be true, it is logical to assume a prescendence for architectural design. Many of the greatest edifices of antiquity took many if not hundreds of years to complete. To add to that, several architectural structures were completed in successive stages. Is it possible that an edifice such as the Temple of Amon at Waset (Luxor) had a master design plan layout carried to completion by successive rulership? The Temple was carried out to its complete state as we know it today by Amenhotep III and Ramses II. It is also important to keep in mind that the Temple of Amon was constructed on the site of an earlier temple during the Middle Kingdom.
Let us say that there was not a "master design plan." Then is it plausible to assume a type of design methodology in the Kemetic architectural design makeup? A type of methodology for architects, artisans and craftsmen over several rulerships to follow. At a minimum, let us suppose a type of philosophy by these architects. Some type of goal to strive towards that was the consensus of the architect(s) and, most importantly, the ruler.
Speaking on the temples of the New Kingdom, Kostof asserts "their very repetitiveness is effective, paralleling as it does what has been called `the grand monotony' of the Egyptian landscape. Here we bear witness to references of Kemetic architecture as "repetitive" and "monotonous." These terms seem to further reinforce the idea of a Kemetic architectural methodology. By this idea of methodology, I mean a vocabulary and language that developed over a significant period of time. A way of design in which certain methods were taken into consideration during the design process. An inclusion of particular design themes. Themes that existed in which particular design principles were predominant and incorporated in the architectural construct. Themes that can be extracted today by observing the thousands of years of an architecture along the Nile Valley. Themes that developed or grew over time but did not appear to change.
Let us regress a bit and refer back to Kostof and his historical sketch of Kemetic architectural history. "One of the most characteristic aspects of Egyptian culture is conservatism, or rather the balance it always sustains between innovation and tradition." For example, one can observe the growth of the Step Pyramid of Saqqara - to the Great Pyramids of Ghiza - to the terranced, landscaped architecture of Deir el-Bahri - and, finally, the Temples of Waset (Luxor and Karnak) during the New Kingdom. Here it is possible to see an architectural development and a methodology imployed over a significant span of time. If a methodology does exist, is it not possible to propose a certain architectural language that can now be viewed as inherent within Kemetic architectural design?
With all this in mind, I will look to examine (over a long period of time) a methodology that I believe is inherent in Kemetic architectural design. To ascertain this goal, I will begin (with my master's thesis) by extracting several design principles that I believe are inherent within this architecture. I suggest that there are fundamental themes that permeate Kemetic architectural design. Such themes to consider are as follows:
* astronomical consideration
* mathematical or geometrical principles
* philosophical and symbolic gestures
* proportionality
* geodesic qualities
* qualification of site
* orientational consciousness
It is plausible that many of these themes, if not all, are visible within Kemetic edifices of antiquity. With indepth research and investigation, it may be possible to assemble a Kemetic vocabulary, language and methodology. Initially, the discussion of architectural design themes or principles have to be investigated in order to build a foundation for dialogue. I will begin by investigating three of the design themes outlined above. In particular, I will address the following: astronomical consideration; mathematical or geometrical principles; thirdly, philosophical and symbolic gestures. As case studies, I will utilize the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) at Ghiza and the Temple of Amon at Waset (Luxor).