Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt

hypostyle hall A Greek term for a room or chamber

that has many columns. The architectural innovation

developed gradually in Egypt, starting with the first

attached pillars placed by IMHOTEPin the courtyard of the

STEP PYRAMIDofDJOSER(r. 2630–2611 B.C.E.) in SAQQARA.

Such halls became a feature of Egyptian architecture, a

reference to the reeds of the primordial marsh of creation

or to the forests that had vanished on the Nile.

See also ART AND ARCHITECTURE.

176 hypostyle hall

The great temple pylon gates of Luxor

papyrus bundle design.(Courtesy Steve Beikirch.)