Windows in ancient Egypt
Mashrabiya as an Egyptian architectural element
''Drawings seem to corroborate this assumption concerning the large windows in the upper stories, some of which have closely grated shutters in their lower part. The upper part seems to consist of variegated mats hanging behind a widely open grating (Nebamun, model) or with a colonnette as mullion (Thutnefer, Neferhotep, Sennufer, Nebamun).
Thus a person could look at leisure from behind the windows of the upper stories through the grated lower part without being seen from the outside. This system was later used in the Islamic wooden Mashrabiya. The Egyptian name of the window, "rolled-up-band," corroborates the interpretation of decorated windows (Nebamun, Neferhotep) as colored mats, as suggested by the drawings." A.B.
Notes similarity between the sketch above which is copied from a house during Tall Al Amarna* Period and the 19th century photograph from Cairo to the right.
Picture
Old Cairo. Mohamed Abouelnaga 2016 November 21
Windows ln Egyptian language
ϧⲉⲛ ϯⲁⲥⲡⲓ
A window's purpose is clearly defined through its two ideograms: it serves as a bridge connecting the interior of the house to the street or road outside.
Its primary function is to provide a vantage point, allowing one to observe the happenings beyond the walls. Letting in air, while important, is considered a secondary role in the context of this term. This highlights the window's essential role as a medium for connection and interaction with the external environment.
ⲭⲁⲑⲏⲟⲩ ⲭⲁ+ⲧⲏⲩ
ⲭⲁ alone in Coptic means a window (or a place through which light and air enter.. a lighthouse for example)
ⲧⲏⲩ means air or wind. This is a window whose mission is light more than its mission is air 0
Old houses in Egypt often featured a design element known as the "Rusha" or "Taka," positioned higher than the window and facing it. This architectural feature created variations in airspeed, leading to a natural process of cross ventilation. As a result, the air would be drawn down, circulating across the occupants, providing a cooling effect and enhancing airflow within the space. This clever design utilized natural forces to improve comfort in the home, particularly in the hot Egyptian climate.2
ϣⲟⲩϣⲧ literally window or opening in the wall. Dans le nom de la fenetre (Rmarquer le determinatif 𓍼 ) W.b Vol IV, 301
ⲟⲩⲁⲧⲃⲉ or ⲟⲩⲁⲧϥⲉ; Another word, but not in the sense of the window itself, but in the sense of a window opening or a door opening (i.e., an opening in the wall)
ⲟⲩⲁⲧⲃⲉ has an Egyptian root. Its origin is “waft”(meaning to pierce or make a hole)1
There is also a small window sketch from ancient Egypt that was supposed to be handed to a worker to execute it
with the sketch was the following text that was found written in Hieratic:
In English : [A] Nakht-Amoun. Do four of these, exactly. Hurry for the day after tomorrow. These are your instructions (lit. I cause you to know them).
For more on this sketch in detail please read Make four Windows this shape
Materials
Sandstone
Wood?
Although I have yet to find archaeological or textual evidence directly referencing the use of timber in ancient Egyptian windows, I believe they likely used wood for this purpose. The craftsmanship demonstrated by the Egyptians was exceptional, as seen in works like the statue of Kaaper, a prime example of their skill. It is reasonable to imagine that such a talented artisan, having mastered materials like sandstone, may have at least once been tempted to experiment with wood for creating objects, including windows. This possibility speaks to the versatility and creativity of Egyptian craftsmen in exploring different materials for architectural and artistic purposes.
Kaaper, also known as Sheikh el-Beled, was an ancient Egyptian scribe and priest who lived during the transition from the late 4th Dynasty to the early 5th Dynasty, around 2500 BCE. His remarkable craftsmanship, particularly evident in the famous statue of Kaaper, highlights the advanced skills of ancient Egyptian artisans. It’s essential to note that the excellence in working with wood was already evident by the 5th Dynasty, showcasing their early expertise in various materials.
A modern example of Egyptian woodwork, particularly in windows, is documented in one of Hassan Fathy's papers. A copy of a window screen, as seen in the picture, illustrates how traditional Egyptian woodwork techniques continued to influence architectural design long after Kaaper’s time. This connection emphasizes the enduring legacy of Egyptian craftsmanship and the lasting impact of their innovative approaches to materials like wood.
This picture is copied from the original work of Hassan Fathy. Link to the work
There is another example of woodwork. it is in a different element - a door-. However, it is still a good brief instance of working with wood on architectural elements in ancient Egypt. This is to be seen here in the Visual Library: Doors
Clay, as demonstrated by the so-called House of Soul, introduces a third material that plays a crucial role in the story of building materials, particularly in the context of windows. Clay is versatile, easy to shape on a fine scale, and widely available, making it a material of great potential that should not be overlooked.
When compared with surviving drawings, the details reveal a more accurate picture of what a window could have looked like in practice. The final form of the window would depend on both the material used—whether clay, wood, or stone—and the skill of the masons. This variation highlights the craftsmanship of ancient builders and their ability to adapt materials to meet both functional and aesthetic needs.
P 176 Ancient Egyptian construction and architecture by Clarke, Somers, 1841-1926
The similarity between the front opening in Neb-Amun house and the middle window of the Monastery of St. Paul can be used as a guide to how the windows used to look.
Colors
''..for the most part rather crudely worked and painted red, yellow and blue'' Window grill from the palace of Ramesses III
Please read of Egyptian colours
Forms
Forms Vary from the simplest basic grills opening to the extravagant grills
Forms group 1 stone. Only stone? Simple basic window grills
our basic simple unit that usually has been of stony materials. This unit had been played with differently. horizontal and vertical and while it looks basic and dull, it is a tool of joy and relief in a land of the sun like Egypt
Variations
Decorated craved coloured - Window Grill
Combined window grill
Forms group 2 - Wood?
The next group of forms which have been copied from house drawings in the tombs of Egyptians
ⲭⲁⲑⲏⲟⲩ
Both the Mashrbiya-alike window and the Taka are represented in the house of Nefer-Hotep 55
The repetition of the opening over the door as a ventilation channel that lets air and light while providing privacy
Dimensions & Orientation
1:1 or almost one-to-one ratio
Previous studies (Fathy, 1986), (Givoni, 1998) found that, in Egypt, the best orientation with regard to the sun factor is the east-west, While, it is the north-to-south with regard to the prevailing winds. Fathy (Fathy, 1986) solved this problem by bisecting the angle between the two optimal orientations (Figure 7). He added that by using other ways to ventilate the building e.g. the Malqaf or wind catcher, the designer can concentrate on orienting the building with respect to the sun factor. 2
Reviewing vernacular architecture in a hot dry climate suggested small windows with a total area of about five to ten percent of the floor (Givoni, 1998). However, large windows can be provided with special design details. 2
The surviving texts of Egypt provide us with some evidence of dimensions used for windows, which we have translated from Hieratic to Coptic and also Arabic Make four windows this shape
Revival
Interesting view of the windows in Egypt before 1900
The Adelphoi Zangaki (Zangaki Brothers)
Cairo streets
ca. 1880s
A window is a dependent element. It follows the design as a whole.
You can not put Egyptian windows in a concrete box. The window will not fit in. From a functional point of view, It will not perform as expected; to ventilate. For concrete boxes, they invented Air conditioning.
Any window revival must go hand in hand with the revival of Egyptian design as a whole; Material, proportion, orientation.. etc.
Window grill from the palace of Ramesses III Merenptah’s Throne Room Vintage 19th century photograph: ornate window, architecture detail, Cairo, Egypt
Ancient Egyptian construction and architecture by Clarke, Somers, 1841-1926
''الشباك مهمته الواضحة من مخصصاته المزدوجة برضه ربط البيت بالشارع أو الطريق .. إنك تقف فيه وتبص ع الرايح والجاي .. دي المهمة الرئيسية .. كونه يدخل هوا بقى يبقى حاجة ثانوية .. شباك يعني وسي
كلمتين في القبطي يدوا معنى الشباك .. الأولى ⲭⲁⲑⲏⲟⲩ خاثيو (ka-tyou) .. بمعنى فتحة الهوا أومدخل مدخل أو منور الرياح (حرفيا) .. لأن كلمة ⲭⲁ لوحدها في القبطي معناها نافذة (أو حتة بيدخل منها النور والهوا .. منور مثلا) وⲧⲏⲩ معناها الهوا أو الرياح. وده شباك مهمته النور أكتر ما مهمته الهوا (أو بيقوم بالوظيفتين مع بعض) للأسف الكلمتين دول من أصول غير مصرية في الأغلب .. يونانية أو مجهولة بدقة 1 Seqnenra There Seqnenra ''لكن عندنا كلمة تانية بس مش بمعنى الشباك نفسه لكن بمعنى فتحة الشباك أو فتحة الباب (أي فتحة في الجدار) .. دي ⲟⲩⲁⲧⲃⲉ واتفي أو ⲟⲩⲁⲧϥⲉ واتبي .. دي ليها أصل مصري 100% .. أصلها «وفت» (يعني يخرم أو يصنع فتحة) .. وجاية من الديموطيقي .. وفي الديموطيقي الكلمة حصل فيها إبدال فبقت «وتف» وبعدين «وتب» و«وتبي» .. شيلنا بس الفه وحطينا به ..''
Cairo; sketches of its history, monuments, and social life by Lane-Poole, Stanley, 1854-1931
History of Egyptian architecture A.B-2 Window 14,16,46
55 The Town House in Ancient EgyptN. de Garis Davies Metropolitan Museum Studies
Monastery of St. Paul by Lyster, William (Art historian)
Stone The sill and the lintel are visible and the opening is almost always filled with a more or less regular design which represents either a grid of wooden slats, or simply a hanging mat. The fence can also be in stone, with vertical openings cut in thin
slab 2.
قاموس كرام