What Replaced The Old Kingdom Mastabas In The Middle Kingdom, During the Old Kingdom period of ancient Egypt, the kings and nobles were buried in large mastabas,, General, what-replaced-the-old-kingdom-mastabas-in-the-middle-kingdom, JPOSE
During the Old Kingdom period of ancient Egypt, the kings and nobles were buried in large mastabas, which were flat-topped rectangular structures with sloping sides. However, in the Middle Kingdom period, a new type of tomb emerged that replaced these mastabas.
The new type of tomb was the rock-cut tomb, also known as the rock-cut tomb complex. These tombs were carved out of the natural rock formations and were much more elaborate than the mastabas. The rock-cut tombs were more secure than the mastabas, as they were hidden and protected by the natural rock formations.
One of the most famous examples of a rock-cut tomb is the tomb of Amenemhet at Beni Hasan. The tomb consists of a large courtyard, a pillared hall, and several chambers that contain scenes from Amenemhet's life and death. The scenes include hunting scenes, agricultural scenes, and offerings to the gods.
Another example of a rock-cut tomb is the tomb of Senusret III at Dahshur. The tomb is located on the site of Senusret's pyramid, and it consists of a long corridor that leads to a pillared hall. The hall contains scenes of the king's life and death, as well as scenes of offerings to the gods.
The rock-cut tombs were not just for kings and nobles, however. Many ordinary Egyptians also had rock-cut tombs, although they were much simpler than the royal tombs. These tombs were often located in the cliffs above the Nile River, and they were used by farmers, craftsmen, and other members of the middle class.
In addition to the rock-cut tombs, another type of tomb that emerged in the Middle Kingdom period was the pyramid. The Middle Kingdom pyramids were smaller than the Old Kingdom pyramids, and they were often built of mud-brick rather than stone. The pyramids were still used as royal tombs, but they were not as elaborate as the Old Kingdom pyramids.
In conclusion, the rock-cut tombs replaced the Old Kingdom mastabas in the Middle Kingdom period of ancient Egypt. These tombs were more secure and elaborate than the mastabas, and they were carved out of the natural rock formations. The rock-cut tombs were used by both the royal family and the middle class, and they were often located in the cliffs above the Nile River. The Middle Kingdom also saw the emergence of smaller pyramids, which were still used as royal tombs but were not as elaborate as the Old Kingdom pyramids.