Egyptian Exterior Art

Hieroglyphs

• Hieroglyphs from different time periods are found on outdoor objects and on the exterior of buildings throughout Egypt. Hieroglyphs, which are the pictorial characters used by ancient Egyptians to record information and tell stories, may be the earliest surviving form of writing and these images adorn nearly every surface of buildings with religious, civic or cultural significance. These decorative carvings were formally known as the "language of the gods" and they are some of the most easily recognized forms of Egyptian exterior art.

Obelisks

• Egyptian obelisks, called "tejen," meaning "protection" or "defense," are free-standing monoliths that were typically placed in the center of wide open spaces and at the entrances of temples in pairs during ancient times. These exterior works of Egyptian art are upright stone columns featuring a quadrangular base with a long, tapering four-sided trunk with a pyramid-shaped capstone, which was often plated in gold. Ancient Egyptians believed these architectural works of art, which were adorned with carvings and hieroglyphs, were symbolic of petrified sun rays and would disperse negative forces, bringing magical protection to the areas where they were erected.

Pyramids

• The pyramids of Egypt are more than the remains of ancient tombs, for they are great works of art by themselves. The enormous structures known as the Egyptian pyramids developed from primitive burial mounds known as "mastabas." These early mounds were made form mud brick or sometimes stone and covered underground burial chambers. As pyramids developed, they were built with such precision that brick and stone slabs were cut to fit perfectly. Hidden shafts and burial chambers are common features in Egyptian pyramids, as are carvings, paintings and hieroglyphs, adding to the mystery and intrigue of these exterior works of art.

Sphinxes

• Of the hundreds of hand-carved outdoor sphinx statues in Egypt, the Great Sphinx of Giza is the most famous. The largest single-stone carving in the world, the Great Sphinx has a human face and formal headdress and long paws. An impressive example of other sphinxes found outside in Egypt is the series of 90 ram-headed sphinxes at the temple complex at Karnak in Luxor. The Egyptian term for these types of statues is unknown. The term "sphinx" has been applied to them, after a creature of Greek mythology that had the body of a lion and the head of a woman.