II, was buried in a tomb that offers stunning glimpses
of life on the Nile. The campaign scenes of RAMES-
SES III (r. 1194–1163 B.C.E.) at MEDINET HABUare of
equal merit and are significant because they rank
among the major artistic achievements of the Ramessid
period.
Architecture
Tuthmossid Period
Architecture at the start of the New Kingdom reflected
the new vitality of a unified land. Its focus shifted from
the tomb to the temple, especially those honoring the god
AMUNand those designed as mortuary shrines. The mor-
tuary temple of HATSHEPSUT(r. 1473–1458 B.C.E.) at DEIR
EL-BAHRIat Thebes allowed the architects of her reign the
opportunity to erect a masterpiece. Three ascending
colonnades and terraces were set into the cliffs on the
western shore and were reached by two unusual ramps
providing stunning visual impact on the site. The temples
of the other pharaohs of this era are less grand but
equally elegant. The great temple and recreational com-
plex of AMENHOTEP III (r. 1391–1353 B.C.E.), which
included chapels, shrines, and residences set into a man-
made lake, was a masterpiece of architectural design. This
is known as MALKATA. Karnak and Luxor, both massive in
scale, reflected the enthusiasm for building of the Tuth-
mossids. Although several stages of construction took
place at the sites, the architects were able to integrate
them into powerful monuments of cultic designs.
’Amarna
The entire city of el-’Amarna was laid out with precision
and care, leading to the temple of the god ATEN. The dis-
tinctive aspect of these buildings was the absence of a
roof. The rays of the divine sun, a manifestation of Aten,
were allowed to reach into every corner, providing light
and inspiration. The WINDOW OF APPEARANCEwas dis-
played there, and the actual grid layouts of the city were
masterful and innovative interpretations of earlier archi-
tectural styles.
Ramessid Period
The period of Ramessid architecture, which can be said to
include HOREMHAB’s tomb in Saqqara, was marked by
construction on a gigantic scale. Three of the greatest52 art and architectureFigures at Abu Simbel display the Egyptian sense of sureness with stone in monumental art.(Courtesy Thierry Ailleret.)