388 “Sponge-cake Shrine”Other noted sphinx figures include the Alabaster
Sphinx, said to weigh 80 tons and discovered in the ruins
of the city of MEMPHIS, the oldest capital of Egypt. The
face on this particular sphinx is believed to be that of
AMENEMHET II(r. 1929–1892 B.C.E.).
The Sphinxes of TANISare unique versions of this
form dating to the Twelfth Dynasty. They were created for
AMENEMHET III(r. 1844–1797 B.C.E.) out of black granite.
Their faces are framed by the manes of lions rather than
the striped nemes.Remarkably striking, these forms were
unique to Tanis but were used by later pharaohs. HAT-
SHEPSUT(r. 1473–1458 B.C.E.) was depicted as a Tanis
sphinx. Smaller versions of the sphinx were used to form
annexes between temples in THEBES(modern LUXOR). In
some instances these sphinxes were ram-headed, then
called criosphinx.Such figures lined the avenue between
shrines in Thebes.
Suggested Readings:Hawass, Zahi A. The Secrets of the
Sphinx: Restoration Past and Present.Cairo: American Uni-
versity in Cairo Press, 1999.
“Sponge-cake Shrine” An unusual bark receptacle
erected by TUTHMOSIS III(r. 1479–1425 B.C.E.) at KARNAK,
this religious monument was built alongside the WHITE
CHAPELof SENWOSRET I(r. 1971–1926 B.C.E.) and the
Alabaster Shrine of AMENHOTEP I(r. 1525–1504 B.C.E.)
and TUTHMOSIS I(r. 1504–1492 B.C.E.) in that great tem-
ple site at Thebes. Tuthmosis III’s shrine was made of cal-
cite and had reliefs depicting that pharaoh making
offerings to the deity AMUN-Ré. The modern name for the
monument refers to the deterioration evident. The calcite
blocks used in the original construction have become
severely pitted, giving the structure the appearance of
sponge cake.
stations of the gods They were the shrines erected in
Egypt’s major cities to provide resting places for the arks
or barks of the various deities when they were paraded
through the streets during festivals. Highly decorated,
these stations provided spectacles for the participating
worshipers.
At each station, the bearers of the god’s vehicle rested
while the cultic priests purified and incensed the entire
parade. ORACLESwere also conducted at these stations. In
the major cities of Egypt, the arks or barks of the ranking
deities were carried through the streets from five to 10
times each month as part of the liturgical CALENDARand
the cultic observances.
stela This is the Greek word for a pillar or vertical
tablet inscribed or decorated with reliefs. Such monu-
ments were called wadjor ahaby the Egyptians and were
used as mortuary or historical commemoratives. Stelae
were made of wood in the early eras, but as that material
became scarce and the skills of the artisans increased,
stones were used. They were normally rounded at one
end, but a stela could be made in any style.
In the tombs, the mortuary stelae were placed in
prominent positions. In most cases the stelae were
incorporated into the false door of the tomb. Others
were freestanding pillars or tablets set into the tomb
walls, listing the achievements of the inhabitant of the
gravesite. Stelae were used to designate boundaries, as
in the city of ’AMARNA, or to specify particular roles of
temples and shrines. They have provided the world with
detailed information about the historical periods of
ancient Egypt.Stela of Donation This is a memorial tablet dating to
the reign of ’AHMOSE(1550–1525 B.C.E.) and concerning
the honors bestowed upon Queen ’AHMOSE-NEFERTARI, his
beloved consort. The stela announces that the queen has
resumed her honorary role as the second prophet of
AMUN, a prominent priestly role at Thebes. Instead, she
was endowed with the title and estate of the GOD’S WIFE
OF AMUN. ’Ahmose-Nefertari is depicted with Prince
’AHMOSE-SIPAIR, who possibly served as coregent with
’Ahmose but died before he could inherit the throne.
AMENHOTEP I, the eventual heir, shared a mortuary cult
with ’Ahmose-Nefertari, and they were deified posthu-
mously.Step Pyramid It was the tomb of DJOSER(r. 2630–
2611 B.C.E.) erected in SAQQARAand called the first free-
standing stone structure known on earth. Designed by
IMHOTEP, Djoser’s VIZIERand architect, the pyramid was
conceived as a MASTABAtomb, but six separate mastaba
forms were placed one on top of another, diminishing in
size to form a pyramid. In its final form, with six tiers,
the Step Pyramid rose almost 200 feet on a base of nearly
500 feet from north to south and close to 400 feet from
east to west. The nucleus of the structure was faced with
Tureh limestone.
The original mastabas were 26 feet, each side facing a
cardinal point measuring 207 feet. When completed, the
sides of each tier were extended by 14 feet and faced a
second time with limestone. Other mastabas were formed
above the original and enlarged to form the step pattern
until the six layers were intact.
A great shaft was designed within the Step Pyramid,
23 feet square and descending 90 feet into the earth. The
burial chamber at the bottom is encased in granite. A
cylindrical granite plug sealed the room, and a hole at the
northern end of the underground chamber allowed the
body of Djoser to be lowered into place. The granite plug
used to seal the chamber weighed three tons. The shaft
was then sealed with rubble. Other shafts, 11 in number,