This book traces methods of Egyptian stone construction during the pharaonic period, from the construction of the step pyramids at Saqqara to the obelisks of Tuthmosis III to the temples of Rameses II at Thebes. Dr. Arnold covers all aspects of building, including planning, measuring, quarrying and production, transporting heavy monuments, building, digging shafts, repairing damages, and securing tombs. Richly illustrated with photos and field drawings by the author, ancient representations of building activities, and illustrations of tools and objects in museum collections, this book offers a frank appraisal of current knowledge of the process of Egyptian stone construction.
Author(s): Dieter Arnold
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Year: 1991
Language: English
Pages: 314
City: New York
Tags: Ancient Egypt, stoneworking, pharaos, temples, pyramids, granite, mycerinus, khafre, khufu, gorelick, gwinett, drilling, sawing, limestone, granite
Introduction | 3
I Preparations | 7
PLANS 7
MEASURING 10
Measuring Distances, 10 Measuring the Inclination, 11
Leveling, 13 Constructing the Right Angle, 14 Orientation, 15
CONSTRUCTION LINES AND SETTING MARKS 16
Setting Lines, 16 Leveling Lines, 17 Inclination Lines, 19
Setting Marks for Columns and Pillars, 19
Distance Marks, 20 Positioning Marks, 20
II Production of Stone | 27
QUARRYING 27
Soft Stone, 27 Hard Stone, 36
DRESSING 41
Soft Stone, 41 Hard Stone, 47
III Transport of Stone | 57
CARRYING 57
MOVING HEAVY MONUMENTS 58
LIFTING STONES 66
LOWERING STONES 73
CONSTRUCTION ROADS AND RAMPS 79
PYRAMID RAMPS 98
Linear Ramp, 99 Staircase Ramp, 99 Spiral Ramp, 100
Reversing Ramp on One Side of a Pyramid, 100
Interior Ramps, 101
IV Building | 109
FOUNDATIONS 109
LAYING THE BLOCKS 115
JOINTS 120
CONNECTING BLOCKS 124
CORNER CONSTRUCTIONS 128
BOSSES 132
STONE PAVING 141
MASONRY CLASSIFICATION 148
By Cross Section for Freestanding Walls, 148
By Cross Section for Non-freestanding Walls, 149
By Surface Appearance, 151 For Pyramid Masonry, 153
CASING 164
CORE MASONRY 176
CONSTRUCTION GAPS 179
ROOFING 183
Flat Roofs, 183 Corbeled Roofs, 184 Saddle Roofs, 191
True Stone Vaults, 200
V Other Building Activities | 211
DIGGING SHAFTS AND TUNNELS 211
SECURING TOMBS 218
SCAFFOLDING 231
REPAIRING DAMAGES 236
BUILDING A COFFERDAM 243
VI Tools and Their Application | 251
MEASURING TOOLS 251
Cubit Rods, 251 Measuring Cords, 252 Plumbs, 253
Builders’ Squares, 253 Square Levels, 253 Boning Rods, 256
CUTTING TOOLS 257
Metal Tools, 257 Stone Tools, 258 Mallets, 264
Drilling Tools, 265 Sawing Tools, 266
MOVING IMPLEMENTS 268
Ropes, 268 Levers, 270 Rockers, 271 Rollers, 273 Sledges, 276
Wedges, 280 Wagons, 281 Bearing Stones for Ropes, 282
Appendix: Mortar and Plaster | 291
MORTAR 291
PLASTER 292
Glossary | 295
Chronology of Dynasties and Rulers | 299
Bibliography | 303
Index | 313
