The document summarizes the evolution of ancient Egyptian tombs over three millennia from the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms. Early tombs like mastabas and step pyramids for kings gave way to large stone pyramids at Giza. Later royal tombs became elaborate underground structures decorated with religious texts and scenes of the afterlife. Noblemen were buried in smaller mastabas decorated with daily life, while workers who built royal tombs had modest underground structures showing religious beliefs had spread to all classes.

1. A BRIEF HISTORY OF ANCIENT EGYPTIAN TOMBS
http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/farid/Hany_Farid/Egypt_History.html
Introduction
The history of Pharonic Egypt spans nearly 3 millennia, starting around 3100 BC. Major
accomplishments were achieved during 3 periods: the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms
which lasted roughly 500 years (2700-2200 BC), 200 years (2000-1800 BC), and 500
years (1600-1100 BC). These periods were interrupted by intermediate periods where
loss of central authority or foreign invasion led to decline.
The ancient Egyptian civilization changed dramatically over these 1600 years, and many
of these changes are reflected in how the tombs of the Kings and Queens, Nobleman,
and Workers were built and decorated.
The Royal Tombs
The mastaba was the earliest and simplest tomb structure. It consisted of a single
elevated platform and was built of mud-brick. These structures were not particularly
elaborate and were not decorated.
In the 3rd dynasty (Old Kingdom) Imhotep built the step pyramid (Fig. 1) for Zoser. This
structure was the first all stone monument and was, of course, the inspiration for the true
pyramids that followed, culminating into the pyramids of Giza, and in particular the great
pyramid of Khufu.
The pyramids were the major achievements of the 4th dynasty - approximately 2500 BC
(Old Kingdom) - and were built for Khufu, Khafre and Menkaure (Fig. 2). These structures
are truly awesome. The pyramid of Khufu, for example:
1. -contains over 2,300,000 stones
2. -the base is 13 square acres, 568,500 sq. ft, or 7 city blocks
3. -the side of each base is 754 feet, or more than 2 football fields
4. -the pyramid weights 6.5 million tons
5. -each stone weighs approximately 2.5 tons
6. -and is 481 feet tall
Because the king was revered as God, his tomb (the pyramid) was constructed to last
forever, thus ensuring the continuing prosperity of the king in his afterlife. Like the early
mastabas, the 4th dynasty pyramids had no decorations.
The 5th dynasty (Old Kingdom) which saw the construction of more modest pyramids
contained the first decorations. These decorations (Fig. 3 and 4) took the form of
hieroglyphic writings - known as the Pyramid Texts - which provide guidelines and
instructions on how to ensure safe voyage through the nether world and the eternal life
thereafter.

2. The construction of the pyramids disappeared during the first intermediate period and
attempts for revival during the Middle Kingdom were far from successful.
A very different approach was taken in the New Kingdom. Very elaborate, deep
underground tombs were the norm. Interestingly these were constructed in an area
dominated by a huge natural pyramid-shaped formation. Part of the reason for this
change was to conceal the tombs from robbers. The New Kingdom saw perhaps the
most glorious tombs. These tombs were decorated with scenes of the journey that the
king (or queen) would take as they moved from this life to the afterlife and showing the
King in the presence of major deities and making offerings to them. The scenes were
highly colored and drawn from vignettes from the book of the dead and related subjects
(Fig. 5).
Each tomb, however, could look dramatically different as experimentation with different
styles were undertaken. Shown in Fig. 5 are samples from the tombs of Tutmosis III,
Horemhab, and Queen Nefertari.
Shown in Figs. 6, 7, 8, 9 are more photographs from the tomb of Tutmosis III. Shown in
Figs. 10, 11, 12, and13 are more photographs from Horemhab's tomb. And shown in
Figs. 14 and 15 are more photographs from Nefertari's tomb.
The Tombs of the Noblemen
The noblemen (the ranking government officials) and high priests had decidedly more
modest tombs. In the Old Kingdom, while pyramids were being built for kings, the
noblemen were buried in mastabas. These mastabas were decorated with non-religious
scenes depicting the daily life and official duties of the nobleman (Shown in Fig.
16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23 are scenes from tombs of Noblemen). Association of
afterlife in the company of Gods was reserved for the kings. The noblemen's tombs
served more as a place where offering for the deceased can be made.
Starting with the Middle Kingdom and progressively through the New Kingdom
democratization of religion began to be the norm. Tombs of the noblemen continued to
depict their daily activities as well as scenes with strong religious overtones. Common
people were expected to be in the company of Gods, who will see to it that they will be
favorably judged and will make it safely through the arduous voyage in the nether word to
emerge in paradise, where they will enjoy eternal life.
The tombs of the New Kingdom's noblemen are beautifully decorated with such scenes.
Unlike the royal tombs, which are confined to specific norms, the private tombs'
decorations often break with these norms and are therefore artistically more pleasing. For
example, shown in Fig. 24, 25, and 26 are scenes from Sennefer's tomb.
The Tombs of the Workers

3. A special type of tombs known from the New Kingdom are those of the workers who built
the royal tombs in the Valley of the Kings. Although these were people of limited
resources, they were well-equipped and skilled in tomb building. Because of their valued
contribution to the royal families and noble elite to tomb construction, they were permitted
to build their own "house of eternity". The tombs of the workers (in theDeir el-Medina)
were notably more modest than those of the kings or noblemen - typically 1/5 the size of
the noblemen's tombs which themselves were 1/5 the size of the kings.
These tombs, not constrained by long traditions, tend to be much more charming, and
show an incredible diversity in their decorations. The tombs of Pashedu, Anher-Khau,
and Sennedjem, all dating to the 19th Dynasty can be seen to be dramatically different
(Fig. 27). Note also how the democratization of religion made its way down to the
workers.
Take a 3-D virtual tour through Sennedjem's andInherkhau’s burial chambers.

4. Fig. 1 - The step pyramid
Fig. 2 - The pyramids of Giza
Fig. 3 - Early hieroglyphic writings from the tomb of Unas
Fig. 5 - The royal tombs of, from top to bottom, Tutmosis III, Horamhab and Queen Nefertari (New Kingdom)

5. Fig. 16 - Depictions from tombs of Noblemen in Saqqara (Old Kingdom)
Fig. 24 - Depictions from the Nobleman Sennefer (New Kingdom)

6. Fig. 27 - The workmen tombs of, from top to bottom, the Anher-Khau, Pashedu, and Sennedjem (New
Kingdom)