Old Kingdom



Dynasty VI of Egypt

Term Time Provenance Overview Statue of Katep and Hetepheres 2300 BC Giza This painted limestone statue is an example of pair statues, which depicted a man and woman and were frequently placed in the serdabs of Old Kingdom private tombs. (British Museum) Pyramid complex of King Teti Calcite statue of King Pepy I Copper statues [...]

Dynasty V of Egypt

Term Time Provenance Overview Schist statue of King Userkhaf 2460 BC Abusir Pyramid complex of King Sahura Relief from funerary temple of King Sahura Limestone relief of King Sahura A magnificent example of having a large focal figure with rows of smaller figures. The depiction of the desert hunt of King Sahure was originally in [...]

Dynasty IV of Egypt

Term Time Provenance Overview Pyramids of King Snefru He first built the Meidum Pyramid (a stack of mastabas whose outer case collapsed); followed by the Bent Pyramid at Dashur (whose incline was changed midway to avoid collapse); and the first true pyramid ever, the North Pyramid (née Red Pyramid) at Dashur. Bent pyramid of King [...]

Dynasty III of Egypt

Term Time Provenance Overview Pyramid of Djoser Saqqara Limestone statue of King Djoser Dynasty III Saqqara Relief of Djoser from burial chamber Characterized by broad shoulders, a narrow and low waist and finely modeled musculature in the legs. Red Granite Statue of Ankhwa 2650 BC Saqqara One of the earliest statues of a non-royal person. [...]

Egyptian King Snefru

Meidum Pyramid Built at Meidum, this was the first pyramid of Snefru. Began as a seven-step pyramid and expanded to eight steps. Exterior casing added to create a true pyramid. Bent Pyramid Built at Dashur, this was the second pyramid of Snefru. Also known as the Northern Stone Pyramid. Red Pyramid Built at Dashur, third [...]

Egyptian King Djoser

Entrance Colonnade This was the first use of columns, with engaged columns on either side of the pathway. Their design was thought to mimic bundles of reeds, which would have been their predecessor. South Tomb The South Tomb was the entrance to numerous decorated burial chambers. These burial chambers were thought to store goods. The [...]

Ancient Egyptian Old Kingdom

Old Kingdom 2700-2200 BC2575-2125 BC The Old Kingdom was a stable and prosperous period that followed Egypt’s development during the Early Dynastic Period. Government power was held by the king, who was regarding as more divine than in any other period. The state religion focused on the sun-god Re, especially in the Fifth Dynasty when [...]