Demonstration

Throughout the course of this argumentative discourse, it has been suggested that "sacred geometry" is an underlying phenomenon within the universal order of life. There has been speculation as to the relative importance of "sacred geometry" as well as to its inter-connection with the universe, nature, and man. Lastly, there was the investigation of certain geometric principles concerning their specific harmonic proportions. Rather consistently, it has been mentioned that Ancient Kemet was one of the earliest civilizations to incorporate the use of this so-called "sacred geometry". At this time, the turn to specific architectural artifacts will, hopefully, provide the insight to witness the use of these governing principles within Kemetic architectural design. Specifically, this work will look at the Temple of Amon at Waset (Karnak) and the Great Pyramid at Ghiza through the investigative work of R.A. Schwaller de Lubicz and Peter Tompkins respectively, amongst others. Keeping in mind that these are speculative arguments, there will be at least an attempt to view these studies for an alternative perspective on these respective edifices. Afterwhich, this will perhaps demonstrate a worthwhile argument concerning the intentional and well conceived usage of geometry as one of the governing principles to Kemetic architectural design.

The Temple of Amon at Waset

The Temple of Amon can probably be referred to, outside of the Great Pyramid, one of the most magnificent edifices of antiquity. These structures were perhaps the earliest forms of multi-functional usage. Tompkins has suggested that the Temple was designed as an astrological observatory. Hilliard suggests that the Temple was a university and library. However, these are but two alleged uses of the Temple that have been documented by scholars. Nevertheless, the mode of inquiry will revolve around the speculation of "sacred geometry" as a governing principle in its design.

There exist a substantial amount of documentation in which de Lubicz demonstrates how "sacred geometry" is embedded within the Temple's design. In an effort to make this document brief, it will review particular instances where he demonstrates this relationship. Hopefully, it will prove to be ample information to provide a sound argument.

In relation to the Temple, its design, according to de Lubicz, replicates the human body. (de Lubicz,p. 24, 1977) Assuming that this is true, it would be logical to foresee the use of "sacred geometry" as a governing device for the building's design. As reviewed earlier, man is deemed to be related to nature and the universe through "universal laws". These "laws" are said to be harmonic and proportionate rules that manifest themselves through certain geometric principles. Therefore, a dual relationship would exist in the Temple. In one instance, there is the conscious, deliberate attempt to relate the design to the human body. The other is the usage of geometric principles which facilitates the building design. The latter directly corresponds to the previous via the harmonic proportions it imposes. However, this is but one general area where geometric principles correlate.

Speaking specifically of one "discovery" by de Lubicz revolves around the "Holy or Holies" chamber. The "Holy of Holies" is situated in the "Covered Temple" which is in the latter part of the plan design. Almost a mirror image is what he refers to as the "Reflection of Amon" chamber located in the "Court of Ramses". This chamber is located near the entrance of the Temple. His finding is in the position of the "Reflection of Amon" and its relation with the Holy of Holies" chamber. Its position creates the hypoteneuse of a 1:7 triangle. (West, p. 157, 1993)

This is one aspect which displays the use of irrational numbers in the Temple. There is more research concerning this topic, however, I do not have access to it at the present time. There is speculation as to the extent of its usage in the Temple, but of the information that I presently have, its focus is not particularly on the usage of irrational numbers.

The second builing reviewed is the Great Pyramid of Ghiza or the so-called Pyramid of Cheops. Peter Tompkins' investigative research reveals the design framework of the Great Pyramid. From his work, one finds that the shape of the Pyramid incorporates the fundamental proportions of the golden section. Moreover, Jay Kappraff shows where the Fibonacci Series, which devolves from the golden section, reflects the height of the Pyramid. For a right triangle of one, the square root of phi and phi make up the "perfect" phi pyramid. (Kappraff, p. 76, 1991)

Also, the floor of the "King's Chamber" has the shape of a perfect golden section. (Toth and Nielsen, p. 98, 1974) In relation to this, paraphrasing Tompkins again, its main chamber incorporates the "sacred" 3-4-5 and the 2-the square root of 5-3 triangles. These, claims Tompkins, are what Plato refers to as the building block of the cosmos. (Tompkins, p. xiii, 1971)

More data reveals that "the Pyramid is so designed that for all practical purposes it accomplishes that squaring of the circle. The Pyramid's base is a square whose perimeter is equal to the circumference of a circle whose radius is the Pyramid's height. (Tompkins, p. 197, 1971) Moreover, the Pyramid was designed in such a way that the area of each of its faces was equal to the square of its height. (Tompkins, p. 190, 1971)

The above information gives a brief, but useful, demonstrates how the use of "sacred geometry" can be used to facilitate an architectural design. It the case of the Temple of Luxor and the Great Pyramid, "sacred geometry" permeated the design scheme. Many times over, its usage relates the Temple and the Pyramid back to the "universal order" as described previously. Possibly, this coexistence enables harmony and proportion to maintain its domain over its aesthetics. Ultimately, providing an aesthetically pleasing structure visually while, simultaneously, sustaining certain principles derived from nature. There exist other ramifications of "sacred geometry" in relation to the aforementioned buildings. In the future, I hope to uncover more information as well as individually investigate these structures as well as others to discover other possible links.