Architecture and Mathematics in Ancient Egypt
Architecture and Mathematics in Ancient Egypt
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In this fascinating study, architect and Egyptologist Corinna Rossi analyses the relationship between mathematics and architecture in ancient Egypt by exploring the use of numbers and geometrical figures in ancient architectural projects and buildings. While previous architectural studies have searched for abstract 'universal rules' to explain the history of Egyptian architecture, Rossi attempts to reconcile the different approaches of archaeologists, architects and historians of mathematics into a single coherent picture. Using a study of a specific group of monuments, the pyramids, and placing them in the context of their cultural and historical background, Rossi argues that theory and practice of construction must be considered as a continuum, not as two separated fields, in order to allow the original planning process of a building to re-emerge. Highly illustrated with plans, diagrams and figures, this book is essential reading for all scholars of Ancient Egypt and the architecture of ancient cultures.
- Unique interdisciplinary study drawing from architecture and Egyptology
- This book has a broad range of appeal for scholars and academics in the fields of Egyptology, architecture, history of mathematics, philosophy, psychology: given its accessibility and simple language it will also appeal to non-specialists
- Well supported with diagrams, plans and over 100 illustrations
Reviews & endorsements
"Rossi's book is a fascinating and worthwhile study of ancient Egyptian mathematics and architectural planning."
Vanessa Smith, Expedition
"Rossi has provided a fine introduction and overview of ancient Egyptian architecture. Throughout, the book is well written, clearly structured and richly illustrated. Its success is built likewise on her double expertise in architecture and Egyptology, and on her attempt to cast her net for evidence wide enough to include textual as well as archaelogical evidence. She succeeds in reconciling the two types of sources to a detailed picture of the ancient architects, and it can only be hoped that this book will be followed by further research of the same kind." - Annette Imhausen, Cambridge University
"This beautifully written book explores ancient Egyptian building design in the light of surviving evidence of how the Egyptians planned and laid out their monuments and how they manipulated the numbers. Rossi's goal is to peel away anachronistic interpretations of the ancient structures and to find explanations matching a full range of primary sources. She succeeds admirably and her clear-eyed approach, informed by common sense and a grain of skepticism, results in a provocative and convincing study." - Diana Wolfe Larkin
Product details
- Published: June 2007
- Format: Paperback
- ISBN: 9780521690539
- Length: 304 pages
- Dimensions: 241 × 168 × 18 mm
- Weight: 0.48kg
- Contains: 102 b/w illus. 9 tables
- Availability: Available
Table of Contents
- Part I. Proportions in Ancient Egyptian Architecture:
- 1. In search of 'the rule' for Ancient Egyptian Architecture
- 2. Mathematics and architecture in Ancient Egypt
- Part II. Ancient Egyptian Sources: Construction and Representation of Space:
- 3. Documents on the planning and building process
- 4. Foundation rituals
- Part III. The Geometry of Pyramids:
- 5. Symbolic shape and constructional problems
- 6. The proportions of pyramids
- 7. Pyramids and triangles
- Overview.
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