The Use of Precious Metals in New Kingdom Architecture

This dissertation is the culmination of many years of work studying precious metals and their usage in New Kingdom architecture. This is the first comprehensive study into the usage of precious metals in Egyptian architecture. Their importance was initially revealed through the examination of numerous New Kingdom texts. This textual evidence led to the discovery of archaeological and iconographic evidence, which serve as the primary source material of this dissertation. Examination of this evidence was the impetus for forming the central question of how and why precious metals were used in New Kingdom architecture. The usage of gold and silver was paramount in the overall design of New Kingdom architecture. Somewhat by default, the architecture investigated was almost exclusively divine temple complexes. Gold was the most prevalent precious metal and was used in nearly every aspect of the temple structure including flagstaves (flagpoles), obelisks, doorways, columns, floors of gold, s.t-wr.t (thrones) and the statues of gods. Silver was used for floors of silver and certain statues. One of the overall major themes for why gold was used is its reflectivity. Natural light reflects off the gold acting as the tangible essence of solar deities. Examples of this are images, obelisk pyramidia and the tips of flagstaves. Silver was used as a means of purification via the floor of silver. The results of both how and why precious metals were used in New Kingdom architecture demonstrates the diversity of thought regarding them. They served important purposes in the overall divine temple structure. Hopefully, this will better the overall understanding of the Egyptian mentality regarding gold and silver and their connection to religion.