MASTABA Meaning and
Definition
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A mastaba is an ancient Egyptian tomb structure characterized by its rectangular shape with sloping sides and a flat top. This architectural form was commonly utilized during the early dynastic period, particularly in the Old Kingdom. The term "mastaba" originated from the Arabic word meaning "bench," referring to its resemblance to a low rectangular bench.
Typically constructed using mud bricks, mastabas were built above a burial chamber for the deceased. The exterior walls were often decorated with intricate designs, hieroglyphics, and reliefs, illustrating scenes of daily life, religious rituals, and offerings. The flat top of the mastaba served as an area where ceremonies could take place or offerings for the deceased could be made.
Inside the mastaba, a shaft led downwards to the burial chamber or multiple chambers. These were usually adorned with various items, including pottery, furniture, food, and other grave goods intended to assist the deceased in the afterlife. Additionally, mastabas sometimes contained chapels for family members to visit and perform rituals.
As pyramid construction techniques evolved, mastabas formed the foundation upon which the pyramids were built, with mastaba structures stacked on top of each other. Gradually, mastabas became more elaborate and were eventually replaced by pyramids as pharaonic tombs. Despite their eventual obsolescence, mastabas played a significant role in the development of burial practices and architectural styles of ancient Egypt.
Common Misspellings for MASTABA
- nastaba
- kastaba
- jastaba
- mzstaba
- msstaba
- mwstaba
- mqstaba
- maataba
- maztaba
- maxtaba
- madtaba
- maetaba
- mawtaba
- masraba
- masfaba
- masgaba
- masyaba
- mas6aba
- mas5aba
Etymology of MASTABA
The word "mastaba" is derived from the Arabic word "maṣṭabah" (مصطبة), which means "bench" or "step". It is a term commonly used in reference to ancient Egyptian funerary structures. The shape of a mastaba, with its long, rectangular base and flat top, resembles a bench or a step, which led to the adoption of the term for these structures. The usage of the word mastaba in the context of ancient Egypt was popularized in the 19th century by the French Egyptologist Auguste Mariette.
Similar spelling words for MASTABA
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