Keith Hamilton - Profile on Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Keith Hamilton

Layer Pyramid, a layman's guide

The pyramid of Sekhemkhet is a relatively modern discovery, having been discovered in the 1950's.... more The pyramid of Sekhemkhet is a relatively modern discovery, having been discovered in the 1950's. It was largely lost to history as it was a building project that barely left the drawing board; presumably on the early death of the king who commissioned it. Both superstructure and substructure are unfinished, and what was achieved was soon buried in sand and lost. The sectional drawing 1 above gives an indication of what was achieved on the complex, along with what its intended outcome may have looked like; a step pyramid exceeding that of Djoser's step pyramid.

The south tomb and enclosure wall, a layman's guide

The above archive image from November 1906, shows the unexcavated remains of Menkaure's pyramid t... more The above archive image from November 1906, shows the unexcavated remains of Menkaure's pyramid temple. The landscape has changed dramatically since this picture was taken, and to help orientate the image, I have pointed out Khentkawes tomb. In the view above, we are looking east through the temples entrance, and one can just make out the causeway as it descends to the as yet unexcavated valley temple, which is still buried under the sand and roughly to the right of Khentkawes tomb. The scene above is much how the early explorers such as Petrie and Howard Vyse would find the Temple; largely buried in sand and debris, with the most visible components being the huge limestone core stones of the temples walls. Howard Vyse

According to Manetho's king list, Pepi II is given a reign length of some 94 years; however, the ... more According to Manetho's king list, Pepi II is given a reign length of some 94 years; however, the highest attested date for Pepi II, found so far, is for the 31 st count, which if biennial would give a reign of some 62 years. 2 RecTrav 1884, page 157 3 L'Architecture des pyramides a Textes II, A.Labrousse, page 2 4 The Egyptian Seked is the horizontal displacement of a right angled triangle whose height is 1 cubit. The cubit consisting of 7 palms of 4 digits. Therefore in the case of Pepi I pyramid, the angle conforms to a Seked of 5 palms, 1 digit, i.e. vertical height 28 digits, with half base of 21 digits: a ratio of 1.3333.... or just over 53 degrees.

In the above view we are looking towards the northeast corner of Unas's pyramid, taken from the d... more In the above view we are looking towards the northeast corner of Unas's pyramid, taken from the direction of Djoser's step pyramid. Little remains but a small mound of debris, along with the scant remains of the pyramid temple; both of which were extensively quarried for their fine stone. In the foreground we can see a deep cutting running through the image, this is often referred to as the 'Dry Moat' which surrounds Djoser's pyramid complex; a massive complex in comparison to Unas, which was constructed in the 3 rd Dynasty. Indeed, the pyramid and temple of Unas are built over impressive subterranean galleries constructed in the 2 nd Dynasty. Unas is often described as the last king of the 5 th dynasty, 1 and between Djoser and Unas, we are looking at a period spanning three centuries. The family tree of Unas is not clear, but his pyramid was the next to be constructed after his predecessor Djedkare, who also built at Saqqara. The above ruins would be the smallest pyramid built for a king in the Old Kingdom, but today it is more memorable than some of its larger counterparts due to

Neferirkare"s pyramid is easily recognised amongst the pyramid field of Abusir, it is by the far ... more Neferirkare"s pyramid is easily recognised amongst the pyramid field of Abusir, it is by the far the largest pyramid at Abusir and also occupies the highest spot. In the image above we can make out Neferirkare's pyramid on the left, showing its distinctive steps of core masonry; the smaller pyramid on the right belongs to Niuserre, and in the foreground we can see the basalt paving of his pyramid temple. Once again I am grateful to the Isida Project for the use of their images.

Not much remains of Userkaf"s pyramid complex; the best preserved elements are the pyramid itself... more Not much remains of Userkaf"s pyramid complex; the best preserved elements are the pyramid itself and its substructure, whilst the exterior elements such as the satellite pyramid, queen"s pyramid, temples etc are severely dilapidated. In the above image we are looking at the north entrance of Userkaf"s pyramid; unfortunately, the descending passage has been largely quarried away, along with the fine casing which would have once sheathed the above ruin. Despite the better preservation of the above pyramid and substructure, we know surprisingly little about it. A large part of the data which we hold, especially on the substructure is from J.S.Perring, who provides a small list of measures, along with a few paragraphs of description. 1

Layer Pyramid, a layman's guide

The pyramid of Sekhemkhet is a relatively modern discovery, having been discovered in the 1950's.... more The pyramid of Sekhemkhet is a relatively modern discovery, having been discovered in the 1950's. It was largely lost to history as it was a building project that barely left the drawing board; presumably on the early death of the king who commissioned it. Both superstructure and substructure are unfinished, and what was achieved was soon buried in sand and lost. The sectional drawing 1 above gives an indication of what was achieved on the complex, along with what its intended outcome may have looked like; a step pyramid exceeding that of Djoser's step pyramid.

The south tomb and enclosure wall, a layman's guide

The above archive image from November 1906, shows the unexcavated remains of Menkaure's pyramid t... more The above archive image from November 1906, shows the unexcavated remains of Menkaure's pyramid temple. The landscape has changed dramatically since this picture was taken, and to help orientate the image, I have pointed out Khentkawes tomb. In the view above, we are looking east through the temples entrance, and one can just make out the causeway as it descends to the as yet unexcavated valley temple, which is still buried under the sand and roughly to the right of Khentkawes tomb. The scene above is much how the early explorers such as Petrie and Howard Vyse would find the Temple; largely buried in sand and debris, with the most visible components being the huge limestone core stones of the temples walls. Howard Vyse

According to Manetho's king list, Pepi II is given a reign length of some 94 years; however, the ... more According to Manetho's king list, Pepi II is given a reign length of some 94 years; however, the highest attested date for Pepi II, found so far, is for the 31 st count, which if biennial would give a reign of some 62 years. 2 RecTrav 1884, page 157 3 L'Architecture des pyramides a Textes II, A.Labrousse, page 2 4 The Egyptian Seked is the horizontal displacement of a right angled triangle whose height is 1 cubit. The cubit consisting of 7 palms of 4 digits. Therefore in the case of Pepi I pyramid, the angle conforms to a Seked of 5 palms, 1 digit, i.e. vertical height 28 digits, with half base of 21 digits: a ratio of 1.3333.... or just over 53 degrees.

In the above view we are looking towards the northeast corner of Unas's pyramid, taken from the d... more In the above view we are looking towards the northeast corner of Unas's pyramid, taken from the direction of Djoser's step pyramid. Little remains but a small mound of debris, along with the scant remains of the pyramid temple; both of which were extensively quarried for their fine stone. In the foreground we can see a deep cutting running through the image, this is often referred to as the 'Dry Moat' which surrounds Djoser's pyramid complex; a massive complex in comparison to Unas, which was constructed in the 3 rd Dynasty. Indeed, the pyramid and temple of Unas are built over impressive subterranean galleries constructed in the 2 nd Dynasty. Unas is often described as the last king of the 5 th dynasty, 1 and between Djoser and Unas, we are looking at a period spanning three centuries. The family tree of Unas is not clear, but his pyramid was the next to be constructed after his predecessor Djedkare, who also built at Saqqara. The above ruins would be the smallest pyramid built for a king in the Old Kingdom, but today it is more memorable than some of its larger counterparts due to

Neferirkare"s pyramid is easily recognised amongst the pyramid field of Abusir, it is by the far ... more Neferirkare"s pyramid is easily recognised amongst the pyramid field of Abusir, it is by the far the largest pyramid at Abusir and also occupies the highest spot. In the image above we can make out Neferirkare's pyramid on the left, showing its distinctive steps of core masonry; the smaller pyramid on the right belongs to Niuserre, and in the foreground we can see the basalt paving of his pyramid temple. Once again I am grateful to the Isida Project for the use of their images.

Not much remains of Userkaf"s pyramid complex; the best preserved elements are the pyramid itself... more Not much remains of Userkaf"s pyramid complex; the best preserved elements are the pyramid itself and its substructure, whilst the exterior elements such as the satellite pyramid, queen"s pyramid, temples etc are severely dilapidated. In the above image we are looking at the north entrance of Userkaf"s pyramid; unfortunately, the descending passage has been largely quarried away, along with the fine casing which would have once sheathed the above ruin. Despite the better preservation of the above pyramid and substructure, we know surprisingly little about it. A large part of the data which we hold, especially on the substructure is from J.S.Perring, who provides a small list of measures, along with a few paragraphs of description. 1