AHS 017A Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: The Seated Scribe, Senusret Iii, Egyptian Temple
Document Summary
Pyramid is a hollow mass of limestone. The joints between the stones were hardly noticeable- how well done. Local quarrying is used to hollow out the ground. Stones were marked at the quarry to indicate their position these pyramids were. These vaults had huge numbers of skilled and unskilled workers. Each pyramid had an estimate of 20,000 workers for 20 years. Of these 20,000, 5,000 were probably skilled workers the other 15,000 were not but still paid. Pyramids acted as a massive public works system. What is certain is that this project was completed as an unbelievable expense: statue of menkaure and queen khamen. King is the dominant figure of the statues. His greater height it the indicator of his greater preeminence. The king is the one receiving the support not giving it. The queen offers affection and political support. Each of the goddesses reach around the kings back and reach his arm on the other side.
