Miroslav Bárta: Profane Landscapes, Sacred Spaces: a view from Abusir

A talk at the conference Profane Landscapes, Sacred Spaces, held in Prague in June 2014. egyptologie.ff.cuni.cz/pdf/Lan...
Abstract:
Miroslav Bárta (Charles University in Prague)
Profane and sacred: on landscape properties, symbolical monumental architecture and social change of Abusir and Saqara necropoleis during the Old Kingdom
The main purpose of this contribution will be to show the close relationship and ways of interaction of profane landscape and symbolical aspects of ancient Egyptian kingship, symbolical monumental architecture, administration and religion. By using several examples based on the evidence provided by the Abusir excavations, I will indicate how ancient Egyptians used the landscape properties, historical and sacred places imbued with symbolical meaning for the kingship to achieve politically motivated objectives.
The chosen examples will focus on the location of the Lake of Abusir as a sacred gate to the Abusir-Saqqara necropolis associated with the notion of rebirth and resurrection and architectural features characterizing pyramid fields that were designed to ensure (not only, however) explicit manifestation of political goals of the current ruling elite.

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Do you even know what profane means..