JFTH Vol. 16, Issue 2 (2019) ISSN: 2314-7024 E-ISSN: 2682-2180 The Ancient Egyptian Origin of Some Architectural and Artistic Elements in Coptic Christianity Rehab Mostafa Sharafeldean Lecturer - Tour Guiding Department Higher Institute of Tourism and Hotels, King Marriotte, Egypt. Abstract Egyptians were proud of their Pharaonic Some other architectural elements may have background. Thus, after their Christianization been also adopted from the ancient Egyptian Coptic art and architecture had been affected architecture such as Coptic apses, and altars. by ancient Egyptian civilization. When Coptic art had been influenced by ancient Christians began to erect their churches, they Egyptian art as well. Ancient Egyptian adopted some architectural and artistic features common art subjects like fishing and farming from the Pharaonic Civilization. In fact, Coptic had been represented frequently in Coptic art. art and architecture has its own type, independent from the Egyptian, Hellenistic or The objective of the paper is to introduce an other styles, however it had been influenced by overview about Coptic architecture and art, its these styles of the previous civilizations. When development and its connection with ancient the Copts started to establish their churches Egyptian civilization. The research highlights some architectural elements had been adopted the ancient origin of the most important Coptic from ancient Egyptian temples such as the architectural and artistic elements in Coptic "Hypostyle Hall", which is considered the churches. A historical analysis of these prototype of the "Basilican Plan" of the elements and their functions was introduced to Christian church. Since the early times of understand the connection between different Christianity Copts retained a triple division civilizations, and how it is normal for any design of their churches similar to that of the civilization to adopt from the previous ancient Egyptian temples. Dome also is the civilizations. Descriptive method had been most important architectural element in Coptic used in this study which was useful in Church. This architectural element most describing different architectural and artistic probably had been adopted from ancient aspects related to the topic. Analysis of the Egyptian civilization. different factors that helped in this adoption, the ancient Egyptian origin of some architectural and artistic elements in Coptic 45 Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Alexandria University, Vol. 16, Issue 2 (2019) The Ancient Egyptian Origin of Some Architectural and Artistic Elements in Coptic Christianity Rehab Sharafeldean Church, and the differences between ancient been cut out by Copts on the north wall of the and Coptic believes which make the use of Great Hall to the left. Around the apse, Copts each element in Christianity serves another represented crosses with Alfa and Omega; the purpose, are also studied in the research. first and last letters of Greek alphabet symbolizing the Christ as the begging and end Key words: Dome, Vault, Basilican Plan, of life (Capuani.2002; Atiya, 1991) (Figs. 1.2). Ansate Cross, Coptic Icons Some tombs of the cemetery of Bani Hassn 1. Introduction also were inhabited by Christian Anchorites from the 4th to the 6th centuries such as the Egypt is one of the first countries on which the famous tomb of Nouternekht which has on its light of Christianity was appeared. The east wall some Coptic inscriptions and a Egyptians were quick to embrace this new Coptic alphabet (Meinardus, 1965). religion. Christianity was easily accepted and spread rapidly in Egypt (Habib, 1967; Malaty, 1993). Religious and domestic Coptic architecture in Egypt does not show a break between the ancient Egyptian architecture and architecture of Coptic Period (Badawy, 1978). Some architectural elements had been inherited by early Copts from the ancient Egyptians tombs and the temples. The reason behind this Figure 1. Cross with Alfa and Omega, Panehsy adoption that from the dawn of Christianity the Tomb, Tall El Amarna.(researcher). church was in the sheltered places from the sever Roman persecution. Thus, Copts preferred far grottoes of the ancient Egyptian rock-cut tombs and temples to practice the new religion. Hermits converted many Egyptians rock-cut tombs into chapels. They enlarged the front room of the tomb by cutting off some of its columns. A semicircular niche was cut in the middle of the rear wall of the tomb to serve as the apse of the chapel (Badawy, 1978). Several examples of these tomb chapels could be found in the Upper Egypt and Menya such as the tomb of P3 Nehsy at the necropolis of Tall Al- „Amarna. Panehsy was the first servant of the domain of Figure 2. The Apse of the Church in the tomb of Aten, the overseer of the store houses and the Panehsy. Tall El Amarna. (researcher). cattle of Aten. This tomb was used as a church Copts also had no hesitation to transform the by early Coptic hermits. They concealed the most of the ancient Egyptian temples into ancient relief of its walls and replaced them by churches. These temples were modified by Coptic scenes and symbols (Meinardus, 1965; early Copts and the walls had been plastered Capuani, 2002). An apse shaped niche has 46 Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Alexandria University, Vol. 16, Issue 2 (2019) The Ancient Egyptian Origin of Some Architectural and Artistic Elements in Coptic Christianity Rehab Sharafeldean and painted by different Christian scenes containing saints and symbols. Several traces of these early Coptic churches still can be seen in the ancient temples of Luxor, Karnak, Madeinet Habu, and Philae (Badawy, 1978). Copts scratched Coptic Graffiti and symbols on the walls of some temples such as Edfu temple (Kurth, 2004) (Figs.3.4.5). Isna has been the home of Christian monks and anchorites from the 4th century onwards (Meinardus, 1965; Kamil, 2002). In 1987, ruins of a church with the traditional Basilican Figure 5. The Coptic Apse and Altar of the Early plan opposite to Isna temple have been Church of Philae. (researcher). uncovered. This church had a moderate In Abydos which was the holy place as by th dimensions and dating back to the 6 Century legend the head of Osiris was buried there and (James, 1988). was an important center of the cult of Osiris (James, 1988), some sites were settled by early Copts. Part of the temple of Sety I had been converted in to a church as on the south of the corridor of kings many Greek and Coptic graffiti are scratched or painted in red (Kamil, 2002; El Zeini & Omm Sety, 1981) (Fig. 6) Figure 3. Remains of a statue of Thutmosis III reused by Early Copts. Karnak Temple Figure 6: Stela with Coptc inscriptions, Temple of Sety I, Abydos. After: Ghazoli (1964). P.182 When Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire towards the close of the fourth country, many of ancient temples which were dedicated to worship different ancient Figure.4. Coptic Cross Carved on one of the columns of deities were also converted into churches Philae temple. (researcher). (Habib, 1967). 47 Journal of the Faculty of Tourism and Hotels, Alexandria University, Vol. 16, Issue 2 (2019) The Ancient Egyptian Origin of Some Architectural and Artistic Elements in Coptic Christianity Rehab Sharafeldean Later, When the Copts started to build their Thus, when they erect their churches it was own churches, it was normal for their normal to copy their models and designs architects to copy some of the familiar ancient especially that they seemed to fulfill the Egyptian architectural elements that seemed to requirement of the new religion (Gabra & Van fulfill the requirement of the new faith during Loon, 2007). the first four centuries such as sanctuary, altar, 3. The Ancient Egyptian origin of some apse, and the traditional plan of the church, Coptic architectural elements which is the Basilican plan (Malaty, 2004). 3.1 Dome and vault 2. Early Coptic Architecture Dome is the most important architectural In the 1st century the community of element in Coptic Church. Some churches Alexandria, the Capital was divided into three have one dome called "Cupola". It is the who groups; Egyptians, Greeks, and Jews. is settled in the heavens. Some churches have Christianity almost was confined among the three Cupolas, the symbol of the "Holy trinity" non-Egyptians until the 4th century. From the (Malaty, 2004; Clarck, 1999). There are some 4th century Christianity started to expand other churches have five Cupolas. The middle between native inhabitants (Danielou & one resembles the "Lord", and the four small Marrou 1964). ones around it represent the four evangelists Before the 5th century the concept of (Malaty, 2004). originality in Coptic architecture is easy to be Dome is a symbol of heaven in Coptic religion identified and the Coptic identity is not easily (Lowrie, 1969). Copts covered their churches to be recognizes in that early time. The reason with both domes and vaults. Inside the church, behind this is the turning of some ancient each sanctuary was always covered with a temples into churches which prevented the cupola (Badawy, 1978). High temperature was development of Coptic architecture also an environmental reason for using domes (Grossman, 1991). and vaults in Coptic architecture (Ramzy, Starting from the 5th century churches were 2012; El Suryani, 1995). still not executed with certain identity; the Previously, Ancient Egyptian legend used to stucco plaster appeared to cover the walls to indicate the goddess “Nut” as the dome of hide what this building had before (El Sayed & heaven. The relation between domes and Kadous, 2000). religious buildings may have occurred due to From the 5th to the 8th century was the most this background (Gabra &Van Loon, 2007) prosperous period of Coptic architecture when This architectural element which is used most of the greatest Coptic edifices were built widely in Coptic Churches and monasteries such as the monasteries of Suhag and the has an ancient Egyptian origin.