For the final project, I was hoping to further research ceremonial complexes in relation to their urban environments. I have decided to look at the ceremonial center of the "Pyramids of Giza," in Egypt. I will further explore various topics of discussion that include: mythological significance, astrological importance, the people who resided there, who was buried there, sacrificial practices, architectural features (every space had a function). When I begin my research I will narrow down the topic, but a certain thesis was produced during Tim Webmoor’s lecture this afternoon when we talked about the organization of space that was based upon citizen unification or an authoritative presence? I will discuss the role of the "hed-sed festival" and how this act solidified the pharaoh's divine and kingly presence on Earth. Although this is a lot to process already, I also wanted to look at this ceremonial act, particularly at the Pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara.
I am currently in the construction phase of my paper and obviously my ideas need to be more focused.
Possible Bibliography
Dieter Arnold, Temples of ancient Egypt (New York: Cornell University P, 1997)
Mark Leher, The Complete Pyramids (New York: Thames and Hudson, 1997)
Jane Sellers, The death of gods in ancient Egypt: an essay on Egyptian religion and frame of time (New York: Penguin Books, 1992)
Jocelyn Gohary, Akhenaten's Sed-Festival at Karnak (New York: Kegan Paul International, 1992)
Giza.ppt
