Journal Article

New Light on the Size Variation of Private Tombs at Giza and Saqqara in Late Old Kingdom Egypt

Gamil, Ehab, Salah, Ethar, Deiab, Rezq

2020

Overview

This study offers a fresh perspective on the variation in the sizes of private tombs at Giza and Saqqara during the Late Old Kingdom in Egypt, highlighting that the architectural differences were not random but reflected a complex network of social, political, and religious factors. The researchers argue that large tombs were usually associated with elites close to the royal court, symbolizing the high status of the deceased and their ties to the ruling institution, whereas smaller tombs belonged to less influential groups but still carried significant symbolic weight through burial rituals and decorative schemes. The analysis reveals that size variation reflected economic disparities, with wealthy families affording more spacious tombs and elaborate decorations, while middle and lower classes built smaller tombs that nevertheless preserved the essential function of embodying belief in the afterlife. The study also underscores the political developments of the late Fifth and Sixth Dynasties, when the weakening of central authority led to the growing influence of provincial officials, manifested in the construction of large tombs for local dignitaries. The researchers emphasize that these differences should not be viewed solely from an economic perspective but also as indicators of shifting social dynamics, revealing a redistribution of power and prestige within ancient Egyptian society. The conclusion affirms that examining private tombs in terms of size and layout provides new insights into the social and religious structures of the Late Old Kingdom and demonstrates how funerary architecture functioned as a silent record of profound societal transformations. Abstract Written by Dar AlMandumh, 2025, Using AI

• Publisher: جامعة بنها - كلية الآداب
• Subject: التاريخ المصري / الحضارة المعمارية / المقابر الفرعونية / النقوش الأثرية