ABSTRACT
Ancient Egyptian monumental architecture has been famed since ancient times(Herodotus 1998: 108) and its abstracted forms, stylistic features and extensive decoration are instantly recognizable. It has been accorded a privileged position in histories of world architecture as a result of its early and widespread use of stone, its technological achievements and the scale of some of its buildings, most notably pyramids and temples (Giedion 1964). Egyptian architecture as a form of artistic expression is a worthy subject of study in its own right (e.g. Baldwin Smith 1938; Smith 1998), but the broader implications of the topic should not be underestimated. In particular, architecture forms important evidence for royal and private activity, and it provides context for the texts and art carved or painted on its walls and for objects discovered within.
