Imhotep was one of the early demi-gods. During the 27th century BCE he designed and constructed Egypt’s Step Pyramid at Saqqara. Imhotep’s achievements span across multiple disciplines as an architect, mathematician, priest, astronomer and physician; all making him one of the foremost demi-gods.
He is known for forgoing the use of mud bricks when building, as well as designing the world’s first great pyramid.
The Step Pyramid
The Step Pyramid was first constructed in Egypt during the 27th century BC as one of mankind’s earliest multi-genious achievements, marking an innovative achievement of stone craftsmanship that revolutionized Egyptian history and remains extant today. Although other pyramids would later follow suit, many consider the Step Pyramid one of mankind’s first groundbreaking achievements.
Imhotep was a commoner who defied society to become an accomplished polymath. Considered the first architect, Imhotep also excelled as a sculptor, priest, physician, astronomer, scribe and astronomer – earning him praise from all quarters he came into contact with after death and eventually being deified as god of architecture, medicine and design.
Imhotep was not solely responsible for the construction of the Step Pyramid; however, his work was crucial to its success. As overseer of the entire complex and designer of its shape and style, his influence can be seen all around it. Furthermore, Imhotep revolutionized ancient Egyptian pyramid building techniques by employing cut limestone blocks rather than stone as building materials; which provided taller and stronger structures than ever before.
The Step Pyramid features a complex layout consisting of both functional and dummy buildings. While its functional buildings were used during kingly life to perform rituals, its dummy buildings like Heb Sed (Jubilee Court) were meant for afterlife purposes.
Step Pyramid’s primary distinguishing feature is its complex network of tunnels and passageways spanning 6 km under its base. Crafted from limestone with blue faience tiles inlaid to simulate reed mating, these corridors contain rooms suitable for family burials as well as supplies storage or offerings.
The Step Pyramid was visited by numerous Egyptian, French and German archaeologists throughout the 19th century CE; however, excavations conducted by English archaeologist Cecil Mallaby Firth in the 1920’s led to groundbreaking discoveries about pyramid construction – specifically, this particular structure. Lauer would later restore and excavate it further over fifty years until uncovering shafts and burial chambers within it.
The Great Pyramid of Giza
At first, Egyptian pharaohs were interred in simple mud brick tombs known as mastabas. These tombs were constructed atop underground chambers containing their remains as well as those of his family members. Later pharaohs began building elaborate tombs as their legacy for future generations to enjoy; these elaborate tombs included food, furniture and gold vessels to support an afterlife life; they even contained mummies and offerings! Ancient Egyptians believed that part of a king’s spirit remained with his body after death so care needed to be provided in order for him to thrive after death – leading them down this path towards pyramid construction.
The Great Pyramid of Giza is the centerpiece of Giza Plateau and dates back to between 2550 and 2490 B.C, when Egyptian pharaoh Khufu constructed it between 2550-2490. His son Khafre’s pyramid lies to its south while his tomb stands to its north; at each pyramid’s base stands a Sphinx as protection from any danger that may threaten it.
As soon as the pyramids were first excavated, they were assumed to have been constructed by slaves or other foreign laborers; however, more recent excavations of them have revealed that most workers were actually native Egyptian agricultural laborers who utilized Nile River floodwaters for work during November through March when its waters covered surrounding farmland.
Imhotep was an innovator of ancient Egyptian construction, who revolutionized it by shifting away from the tradition of square huts on the ground into towering structures that reached into the heavens. Additionally, he is responsible for altering the shape of pyramids from their initial rectangular design towards more square forms.
Though the pyramids are now in disrepair, numerous studies are ongoing regarding their condition and preservation. Researchers are conducting geochemical and engineering analyses of outer casing stone blocks as well as investigating materials in the core of pyramids to gain more insight into how they behave when exposed to natural weathering conditions or during strong seismic events.
The Pyramid of Khufu
Khufu’s pyramid was the inaugural example of its kind and marked a watershed moment in Egyptian architecture. Its revolutionary design marked an evolution over the previous mastaba tombs; and for the first time it would stack mastabas one upon another as construction methods; later Egyptian pyramids would follow this lead.
Imhotep may have been responsible for designing the foundation of pyramids with multiple layers of smoothed stones connected by mortar-free surfaces without mortars or adhesives between them; it has long been considered unique feature of Egyptian pyramids and step-like formation. Pyramids also possess earthquake resistance over dome-shaped buildings.
Imhotep’s innovation with the pyramid was so profound, he is often considered the father of pyramids. While its geometric form may play an essential part in maintaining its stability, strength of stones themselves plays a much more pivotal role – limestone blocks used for making up pyramids have compressive strengths ranging between 30 and 250 MPa compressive strength ratings.
Archaeologists have gained valuable insight from the discovery of a workshop area on the south side of a pyramid. Laborers organized themselves into teams of about 200 men, and each was responsible for transporting several massive blocks from quarry to site and installing them onto ramps – experiments show these teams could move a 2.5-ton block in 20 minutes using wet silt as a lubricant.
Imhotep was responsible for many of Egypt’s greatest monuments. He may have designed both of the pyramids Djoser (c. 2630 BCE – 2613 BCE) and Sekhemkhet (c. 2640 – 2613 BCE), as well as possibly being involved with its construction (likely). Furthermore, Khaba may also have had Imhotep’s contribution in mind when designing his pyramid.
Scholars believe that Imhotep may also have designed the Huni pyramids; however, there is no evidence to support their claim at present.
The Pyramid of Cheops
Imhotep was one of history’s first multi-genius figures; an Egyptian vizier, sage, priest, physician, mathematician, astronomer and architect known for being revered even today as an embodiment of wisdom and revered even by some to the extent that they revered him as god. He held high titles of office during his lifetime – some even worshiped him as god!
Imhotep was responsible for revolutionising ancient Egyptian architecture from primitive huts on the ground to towering structures that reached for the heavens. His landmark innovation of building with cut stone pyramids allowed much larger and taller structures than before – it truly demonstrated his genius as an architect as well as changing medicine through dissection of human bodies.
Imhotep began his career as a commoner but quickly rose through the ranks to become an esteemed servant of King Djoser (reigned 2670-2612 BCE). Under him he served as Vizier and Chief Architect.
Imhotep’s innovative mind enabled him to build Djoser’s tomb at Saqqara more monumental than any of its predecessors. Instead of building traditional mastabas, he decided to combine several together into what would later become known as the Step Pyramid.
He was so proud of his creation that he defied ancient precedent by inscribing his name alongside that of Pharaoh on an ancient monument, an unprecedented honor for an ordinary citizen.
Imhotep was responsible for designing and building the Step Pyramid as well as those of his brothers Khephren and Cheops. Additionally, it is believed he assisted in designing Sekhemkhet and Khaba’s Pyramids although these pharaohs died before completion was possible.
Imhotep’s work was so groundbreaking that, just 100 years after his death, people started worshipping him as god and reverencing his achievements in medicine as one of the most significant figures in human history.
