Egypt

[humayion]

The Pyramid of Teti is a smooth-sided pyramid situated in the pyramid field at Saqqara in Egypt. It is historically the second known pyramid containing pyramid texts. Excavations have revealed a satellite pyramid, two pyramids of queens accompanied by cult structures, and a funerary temple. The pyramid was opened by Gaston Maspero in 1882 and the complex explored during several campaigns ranging from 1907 to 1965. It was originally called Teti's Places Are Enduring. The preservation above ground is very poor, and it now resembles a small hill. Below ground the chambers and corridors are very well preserved.

The horizontal passage leads to rooms consisting of a funeral serdab, an antechamber, and a burial chamber. All three are aligned along an east-west axis.
Access to the burial chambers are located inside the adjoining chapel against the north face of the pyramid. The entrance hallway leads to a long descent of eighteen hundred and twenty-three metres. The entrance was once blocked by a plug of granite now lost. The descending passage was probably clogged along its length by large blocks of limestone that thieves have broken up. The debris still littered the passage at the time of discovery. In the descending corridor is a successive horizontal hallway, a vestibule, another hallway, a bedroom with harrows, a final corridor, and a final granite passage which opens into the funerary apartments of the King.
Detail with the cartouche of Teti
Sarcophagus of Teti
Although looted since ancient times, remains of the king's grave goods were found during the first excavation of the monument. Consisting mainly of stone materials, these objects have been abandoned by looters, probably considered useless or worthless. Thus, a series of club heads with the names of Teti has reached us and one of the canopic jars containing the viscera of the king. The most troubling item found among the debris of the funeral viaticum is the plaster mold of a death mask. The reproduced molding transmits to us the face of a man with eyes closed, mouth slightly open. The expression is striking and it is purported to be an image of Teti making it the only true royal portrait that has survived from the Old Kingdom.
The burial chamber contains an unfinished greywacke sarcophagus, a fragment of a lid and a canopic container that is nothing more than a simple hole in the ground. And for the first time, a royal sarcophagus contains inscriptions, here slightly etched on the hollow interior of the vessel.

[humayion]

The roofed colonnade led from the enclosure wall to the south of the complex. A passageway with a limestone ceiling constructed to look as though it was made from whole tree trunks led to a massive stone imitation of two open doors. Beyond this portal was a hall with twenty pairs of limestone columns composed of drum shaped segments built to look like bundles of plant stems and reaching a height of 6.6 m. The columns were not free-standing, but were attached to the wall by masonry projections. Between the columns on both sides of the hall were small chambers, which some Egyptologists propose may have been for each of the provinces of Upper and Lower Egyptenter and exit.
The South Court is a large court between the South Tomb and the pyramid. Within the court are curved stones thought to be territorial markers associated with the Heb-sed festival, an important ritual completed by Egyptian kings (typically after 30 years on the throne) to renew their powers. These would have allowed Djoser to claim control over all of Egypt, while its presence in the funerary complex would allow Djoser to continue to benefit from the ritual in the afterlife.
Funerary complex of Djoser
The earliest burials of nobles can be traced back to the First Dynasty, at the north side of the Saqqara plateau. During this time, the royal burial ground was at Abydos. The first royal burials at Saqqara, comprising underground galleries, date to the Second Dynasty
North of the area known as Saqqara lies Abusir; south lies Dahshur. The area running from Giza to Dahshur has been used as necropolis by the inhabitants of Memphis at different times, and it has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1979.

The Pyramid of Djoser (Zoser), or step pyramid is an archeological remain in the Saqqara necropolis, Egypt, northwest of the city of Memphis. It was built during the 27th century BC for the burial of Pharaoh Djoser by Imhotep, his vizier. It is the central feature of a vast mortuary complex in an enormous courtyard surrounded by ceremonial structures and decoration.
This first Egyptian pyramid consisted of six mastabas (of decreasing size) built atop one another in what were clearly revisions and developments of the original plan and was clad in polished white limestone.
Djoser was the first or second king of the 3rd Dynasty (ca. 2667 to 2648 BC) of the Egyptian Old Kingdom. He is believed to have ruled for 19 years. He reigned long enough to allow the grandiose plan for his pyramid to be realized in his lifetime.

[Aftab13]

Superb pix!!!

[alee1]

really nice

[humayion]

Memphis was the ancient capital of Aneb-Hetch, the first nome of Lower Egypt. Its ruins are located near the town of Mit Rahina, south of Cairo.
Memphis was believed to be under the protection of the god Ptah, the patron of craftsmen. Its great temple, Hut-ka-Ptah, was one of the most prominent structures in the city.
The ruins of ancient Memphis have yielded a large number of sculptures representing Pharaoh Rameses II.Within the museum in Memphis is a giant statue of the pharaoh carved of monumental limestone, about 10 metres in length. It was discovered in 1820 near the southern gate of the temple of Ptah by Italian archaeologist Giovanni Caviglia. Because the bottom of the sculpture has been broken off, it is currently displayed lying on its back. Some of the colours are still partially preserved, but the beauty of this statue lies in its flawless detail of the complex and subtle forms of human anatomy. The pharaoh wears the white crown of Upper Egypt, Hedjet.
The alabaster sphinx found outside the Temple of Ptah.
Sculpture from the Middle Kingdom restored in the name of Rameses II
The legend recorded by Manetho was that Menes, the first pharaoh to unite the Two Lands, established his capital on the banks of the Nile by diverting the river with dikes. The Greek historian Herodotus, who tells a similar story, relates that during his visit to the city, the Persians, at that point the suzerains of the country, paid particular attention to the condition of these dams so that the city was saved from the annual flooding. Herodotus dates the founding of the city at around 3100 BC, over 2500 years prior to his visit.

[darkinsky]

excellent pictures

[usmanuetian]

very nice coverage..stay safe...

[Mozumbus]

Great trip and great pics..

Last year, we (daughter, wife, and self) also visited the historical country and enjoyed every minute of it. At that time also, there were protests at Tahrir Square but we never felt threatened as the general security was fine.

We visited Qila Saladdin and Egyptian Museum, took an unforgettable Felucca ride on river Nile, watched the Light & Sounds show at Pyramids and the magnificent whirling dance (tanoura) at Al-Ghouri Mosoluem, shopped at Khan Khalili, offered Juma at Masjid Hussain, made a day trip to Suez Canal, etc etc.

Here is our detailed experience: Muzzammil's Travels: Egyptian Campaign 2011

[humayion]

Pharaohs and nobles of the time used to mummify their pet animals which were buried with them in their pyramids
Mummies of humans and other animals have been found all around the world, both as a result of natural preservation through unusual conditions, and as cultural artifacts. Over one million animal mummies have been found in Egypt, many of which are cats. Although this one is a dog and a baboon
Ramesses II referred to as Ramesses the Great, was the third Egyptian pharaoh (reigned 1279 BC ? 1213 BC) of the Nineteenth dynasty. He is often regarded as the greatest, most celebrated, and most powerful pharaoh of the Egyptian Empire.
Some people believe that Ramses II was the pharaoh at the time of Prophet Musa
Usimare Ramesses III was the second Pharaoh of the Twentieth Dynasty and is considered to be the last great New Kingdom king to wield any substantial authority over Egypt.

Hosni Mubaraks political office opposite to the cairo museum which was arsoned by the protesters.

[humayion]

The Saladin Citadel of Cairo is a medieval Islamic fortification in Cairo, Egypt. The location, on Mokattam hill near the center of Cairo, was once famous for its fresh breeze and grand views of the city. It is now a preserved historic site, with mosques and museums.
The Citadel was fortified by the Ayyubid ruler Salah al-Din (Saladin) between 1176 and 1183 CE, to protect it from the Crusaders. Only a few years after defeating the Fatimid Caliphate, Saladin set out to build a wall that would surround both Cairo and Fustat. Saladin is recorded as saying, "With a wall I will make the two [cities of Cairo and Fustat] into a unique whole, so that one army may defend them both; and I believe it is good to encircle them with a single wall from the bank of the Nile to the bank of the Nile."
The great Mosque of Muhammad Ali Pasha or Alabaster Mosque is a mosque situated in the Citadel of Cairo in Egypt and commissioned by Muhammad Ali Pasha between 1830 and 1848. This great mosque, along with the citadel, is one of the landmarks and tourist attractions of Cairo and is one of the first features to be seen when approaching the city from no matter which side.
Muhammad Ali chose to build his state mosque entirely in the architectural style of his former overlords, the Ottomans, unlike the Mamluks who, despite their political submission to the Ottomans, stuck to the architectural styles of the previous Mamluk dynasties.
There is a brass clock tower in the middle of the northwestern riwak, which was presented to Muhammad Ali by King Louis Philippe of France in 1845. The clock was reciprocated with the obelisk of Luxor now standing in Place de la Concorde in Paris.(check out my france thread for the pictures of obelisk of luxor at place de la concorde in paris).
The interior has a measure of 41x41 meters and gives a great feeling of space. The use of two levels of domes gives a much greater sense of space than there actually is. The central dome rises on four arches standing on colossal piers.
There are four semicircular domes around the central dome. There are four smaller domes on the corners as well. The domes are painted and embellished with motifs in relief. The walls and pillars are covered with alabaster up to 11 meters high
Tomb of Muhammad Ali Pasha inside the mosque.
cairo city view
While the Citadel was completed in 1183-1184, the wall Saladin had envisioned was still under construction in 1238, long after his death.

[humayion]

Great trip and great pics..

Last year, we (daughter, wife, and self) also visited the historical country and enjoyed every minute of it. At that time also, there were protests at Tahrir Square but we never felt threatened as the general security was fine.

We visited Qila Saladdin and Egyptian Museum, took an unforgettable Felucca ride on river Nile, watched the Light & Sounds show at Pyramids and the magnificent whirling dance (tanoura) at Al-Ghouri Mosoluem, shopped at Khan Khalili, offered Juma at Masjid Hussain, made a day trip to Suez Canal, etc etc.

Here is our detailed experience: Muzzammil's Travels: Egyptian Campaign 2011

:-#..........................................................................................

[nomi700]

nice sharing

[7thgear]

A sphinx is a mythical creature with, as a minimum, the body of a lion and the head of a human or a cat.In Greek tradition, it has the haunches of a lion, the wings of a great bird, and the face of a woman. She is mythicised as treacherous and merciless. Those who cannot answer her riddle suffer a fate typical in such mythological stories, as they are killed and eaten by this ravenous monster. like the Greek sphinx which was a woman, the Egyptian sphinx is typically shown as a man (an androsphinx). In addition, the Egyptian sphinx was viewed as benevolent in contrast to the malevolent Greek version and was thought of as a guardian often flanking the entrances to temples.The largest and most famous sphinx is the Great Sphinx of Giza, sited at the Giza Plateau adjacent to the Great Pyramids of Giza on the west bank of the Nile River and facing due east. The sphinx is located in the north and below the pyramids. Although the date of its construction is uncertain, the head of the Great Sphinx now is believed to be that of the pharaoh Khafra.egyptian art gallery.

So the sphinx put you any question? There is a very well known work of literature on this sphinx and its riddles, Oedipus Rex.. The sphinx asked the question, What is it that goes on four legs in morning, two legs in the afternoon and three legs in evening. Those who could not answer were killed, Oedipus Rex gave the answer but met a doom far worse than death.

Very informative thread BTW. What about the inside of the pyramids, no pic from the inside??

[humayion]

pictures of pyramid of king teti are posted on the first page, taking pictures was not allowed inside the pyramids and the cairo museum but however i managed to snap some

[humayion]

nice sharing

thank you nomi bhai, i am a keen follower of ur threads and of course your famous get togethers, inshallah we will meet soon in the next gathering

[nomi700]

thank you nomi bhai, i am a keen follower of ur threads and of course your famous get togethers, inshallah we will meet soon in the next gathering

Thank for complements. You are most welcome to join us.

[humayion]

Saint Virgin Mary's Coptic Orthodox Church also known as the Hanging Church (El Muallaqa) is one of the oldest churches in Egypt and the history of a church on this site dates to the 3rd century AD.
The Hanging (The Suspended) Church is named for its location above a gatehouse of Babylon Fortress, the Roman fortress in Coptic Cairo (Old Cairo); its nave is suspended over a passage. The church is approached by 29 steps; early travelers to Cairo dubbed it "the Staircase Church." The land surface has risen by some 6 metres since the Roman period so that the Roman tower is mostly buried below ground, reducing the visual impact of the church's elevated position.
The Hanging Church is the most famous Coptic Christian church in Cairo, as well as possibly the first built in Basilican style. It was probably built during the patriarchate of Isaac (690-92), though an earlier church building may have existed elsewhere dating as early as the 3rd or 4th century.
The Hanging Church has 110 icons, the oldest of which dates back to the 8th century, but most of them date to the 18th century.

The main altar screen is made of ebony inlaid with ivory that is carved into segments showing several Coptic Cross designs that date back to around the 12th or 13th century.
An old painting in the church which dates back to the 5th century
one of old roman towers which is the foundation of the church
The church was largely rebuilt by the Pope Abraham (975-78) and has seen many other restorations including one very recently, after which objects of historical interest that were no longer of service went to the Coptic Museum.
cairo metro

[humayion]

Al-Azhar Mosque is a mosque in Islamic Cairo in Egypt. Al-Muizz li-Din Allah of the Fatimid Caliphate commissioned its construction for the newly established capital city in 970. t was the first mosque established in Cairo, a city that has since gained the nickname "the city of a thousand minarets
Al-Azhar University is an educational institute in Cairo, Egypt. Founded in 970 or 972 as a madrasa, it is the chief centre of Arabic literature and Islamic learning in the world. It is the oldest degree-granting university in Egypt. In 1961 non-religious subjects were added to its curriculum.
It is associated with Al-Azhar Mosque in Islamic Cairo. The university's mission includes the propagation of Islamic religion and culture. To this end, its Islamic scholars (ulamas) render edicts (fatwas) on disputes submitted to them from all over the Sunni Islamic world regarding proper conduct for Muslim individuals and societies. Al-Azhar also trains Egyptian government-appointed preachers in proselytization (da'wa).
The Mosque of Sayidna Al-Hussein on the edge of Khan al-Khalili in Islamic Cairo


cairo airport
isb,pk

[axiss.rayil]

Very beautiful Mosque...
Great architecture.

Unlike the Morocco architecture, Egyptian lakes use of blue color.

[axiss.rayil]

Great pictures but you did not mention anything about the trip. Only described places